Rogers County schools looking for a sales tax to help their budgets

Tuesday, April 15th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Solving financial problems is a hot topic for many school districts. Rogers County school boards may have a solution. Some Verdigris parents are kicking around the idea of a penny sales tax.

For two years the state has promised schools a certain amount of money. But a slumping economy has kept that from happening. It's cost Verdigris schools $300,000 and 24 teachers. Now some educators are turning to the county for help. They want a temporary penny sales tax dedicated to education.

Superintendents all over the county are hoping to convince Rogers County commissioners to put the matter to a vote of the people. Larry Cale, Verdigris Superintendent: â€œthat's what led to what can we do locally because we don't feel that something is going to come out of Oklahoma City." The Verdigris school board was split down the middle Monday night and decided to table the issue.

The Justus-Tiawah school board did approve the resolution.