By Gage Wilson
For Glasgow News 1
In a standing-room-only meeting that stretched roughly two-and-a-half hours, the Caverna Schools Board of Education narrowly approved its 2026-27 property tax rate Thursday following emphatic public comment and lengthy discussion among board members.
Rather than adopting either the 71.2-cent compensating rate favored by most residents who spoke or the 74-cent rate associated with a four-percent increase in revenue, the board ultimately settled on a rate designed to generate one-percent more revenue than the compensating rate.
Financial Officer Lisa Austin said the resulting rate would be 71.9 cents per $100 of assessed property value, an increase of seven-tenths of a cent over the compensating rate.
Because the one-percent option emerged during the board’s discussion and was not among the rates calculated beforehand, a final projection for how much revenue it will generate was not immediately available. That figure will be calculated by the state.
The decision followed a public hearing beginning at 4 p.m. that district officials scheduled despite not being legally required to hold one. The hearing was intended to give residents an opportunity to address board members before they set the district’s rate.
Eight individuals were slated to speak, with each given roughly seven minutes to address the board.
“In the back of your mind I want you to remember we’re talking about the kids of this community, and what we want for them,” Chairwoman Jennifer Briggs told those gathered. “At the end of the day I want us to carry our kids and our district with dignity and respect, because they’re going to replace all of us one day…they’re going to be mayors, they’re going to be school teachers.”
Briggs said the hearing was an opportunity for board members to listen to residents rather than engage in back-and-forth discussion.
“We don’t want your time to be wasted here on a one-on-one debate,” she said. “We are here to listen to what you’re saying.”
Speakers offered differing opinions on whether the district should collect additional revenue, though a majority of those commenting urged the board to take the compensating rate.
One Cave City resident, whose grandchild attends Caverna and whose daughter works as an educator in the district, spoke in favor of the four-percent option.
“I don’t like paying taxes anymore than you all do,” she said. “But, it’s a necessary evil.”
“We are living in unparalleled times of inflation where everything has multiplied in cost,” she continued. “I simply want to say that, I believe and trust that the monies and increase that the Caverna district is asking for, is necessary, I believe it’s necessary for our children.”
Caverna teacher Terry Thorpe also supported the four-percent option, pointing to the district’s recent investment in its employees.
“Hopefully next year when you decide on whether to do a raise or not you can take that into consideration,” Thorpe said.
Information distributed by the district ahead of the hearing estimated that taking the four-percent option would have generated approximately $118,233 more than the compensating rate. Caverna illustrated the difference as $28 annually on a property assessed at $100,000.
The handout said the additional revenue would help support recent staff raises as well as instructional and safety needs, including the purchase of a new school bus and the addition of a school resource officer.
Most residents who spoke, however, supported the compensating rate.
Horse Cave City Councilwoman Mandy Hatcher was among them, telling board members she had worked in education for 16 years before becoming an elected official.
“I stand before you to voice my strong opposition to the proposed raise of four-percent,” Hatcher said. “I can’t support a four-percent tax hike that places an unfair burden on the already stretched families and fixed income residents of these communities.”
Hatcher said she understood the importance of competitive salaries and the budgetary constraints faced by the district, but argued that “throwing more tax dollars at declining enrollment is not a sustainable educational policy.”
Former Hart County Judge-Executive Terry Martin, who also voiced opposition to the four-percent option during the board’s August meeting, repeatedly questioned the district’s need for additional revenue.
Martin estimated the district would carry over approximately $3.3 million, returning to the issue both during the public hearing and later during the board’s regular meeting.
“How much money do you need?” Martin asked. “Don’t do this to your tax payers.”
Concerns over the effect on individual taxpayers continued as board members began their own discussion, particularly about how property assessments rose within the district.
Board member Allison Dennison pointed to recent property assessments in Horse Cave and the prospect of similar increases affecting Cave City property owners.
“When you look at your tax bill a majority of what we pay goes to the Caverna tax bill,” Dennison said. “Cave City will be getting it next year.”
“If you go up $14 or $28 it makes a difference,” she continued. “Right now in my neighborhood I think there are three houses up for sale.”
Board member Wayne Hatcher countered by pointing to the relatively small dollar difference between the compensating and higher rates when applied to individual properties.
“I’m just trying to explore some ideas,” Hatcher said. “I don’t know whether people realize it or not but when we compare the difference between the compensating rate and the increase, let’s say on a house worth $50,000.”
“That’s a bill in my house Wayne,” Dennison interjected.
“It’s $14,” Hatcher answered.
With the board still divided, Dennison moved to adopt the 71.2-cent compensating rate. Her motion failed 3-2, with Dennison and Briggs supporting it and Lyon, Ballard and Hatcher voting against it.
Briggs then offered an alternative, moving to adopt a rate that would generate one-percent more revenue than the compensating rate.
That motion passed 3-2, with Briggs, Lyon and Hatcher in favor and Dennison and Ballard opposed.
After calculating the rate associated with the board’s decision, Austin said it would land at 71.9 cents per $100 of assessed property value.
Key Facts
– Caverna Board of Education approves 1% property tax revenue increase for 2026-27
– New rate set at 71.9 cents per $100 of assessed property value
– Compensating rate of 71.2 cents and 4% increase at 74 cents both rejected
– Standing-room-only public hearing ran about two and a half hours
– Final revenue projection for new rate will be calculated by the state
– Debate centered on rising property assessments and impact on local taxpayers
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