Last night at a special called meeting, the Newton County Board of Education reduced the local millage rate from 19.788 to 18.288—a reduction of 1.5 mills. The new rate marks the lowest education millage rate for Newton County residents in twelve years.
The Newton County Board of Education held three public hearings throughout the month of August to obtain feedback on the millage rate, and its impact on local residents. All members of the school board were in favor of reducing the millage rate for Newton County residents. Ultimately, Ms. Abigail Coggin, Mr. Trey Bailey, and Ms. Shakila Henderson-Baker voted to approve the 18.288 millage rate, with Mr. Eddie Johnson and Mr. Anderson Bailey opposed. While Mr. Johnson and Mr. Anderson Bailey were in favor of a reduction, their motion for a slightly higher millage rate of 18.788 mills did not pass.