Commission puts 5‑mill Ragland school tax on May ballot

The St. Clair County Commission voted to place a 5‑mill school tax measure for the Ragland School Attendance and Tax District on the May ballot following a request from the St. Clair County Board of Education. Commissioners approved resolution 202619 to call the election and a companion resolution that acknowledges the commission’s authority to abate the tax if the school later closes.

Mayor of Ragland and board members urged the commission to act quickly. The mayor thanked the commission for putting the matter before voters, saying the measure is intended to keep Ragland High School operating: “We all want Raglin High School to stay open,” the mayor told commissioners. Local school‑board members thanked the commission for the support and said passage would help preserve K–12 education in the town.

Commissioners discussed the procedural nature of the second resolution, which the county attorney described as an express acknowledgment of the commission’s authority rather than a binding future commitment. The motion to place the tax on the ballot carried by voice vote.

Next steps: the measure will appear before voters in the tax district in May, and the commission may act later to abate the tax should the school’s status change.