Understanding the Education Referendum on the March 2 Ballot

The one-fourth cent tax proposed by the March 2 education referendum will provide funding for Randolph Community College to renovate the old Klaussner plant on Industrial Park Avenue into classrooms dedicated to training Randolph County citizens for new, sustainable jobs.

Ten important points you should know:

1. Randolph Community College's classrooms and parking lots are full. We are serving more than 3,100 college curriculum students per semester and more than 8,400 continuing education students per year. We don't want to turn students away, but must expand our facilities to continue to serve our rapidly increasing number of students and house new programs that are much-needed in a changing economy.

2. Even though we were approved by the County Commissioners to build a new building, we opted instead to buy an abandoned furniture warehouse, the Klaussner building, at a tremendous savings to the county. Now, we must renovate that building and put it to use in order to train workers, educate students, and help put the county back to work.

3. This proposed one-fourth cent education sales tax is more appropriately described as an "investment in Randolph County's economic/workforce development" than as a "tax." Studies show that every dollar invested in the community college returns six-dollars back to the community. This is much more an investment than an expense.

4. On the March 2 ballot, the figure .25% means one-fourth of one cent, not 25 cents. For every $4.00 you spend, one penny would be collected for the education referendum. 

5. This money is interest-free, significantly reducing the cost of construction and saving the county large sums of money without increasing the county’s debt load, a major factor in the county’s ability to fund other needs.

6. This small investment will bring a huge return. For one-fourth of a penny investment, we get more training for high-demand careers, more graduates entering the workforce, and enhanced economic development for Randolph County.

7. NOT included in taxable items are most basic necessities, such as groceries, gasoline, and medicine. These critical needs are exempt from the tax.

8. An estimated 25-30% of the tax will be paid by non-residents who are visiting the county. Passers-by, travelers, the 750,000 annual visitors to the zoo, and other visitors will help us fund our local community college capital needs. 

9. One-fourth of a penny sales tax will raise the same amount of money as a 2-cent property tax.

10. We're not asking you to help US. We're asking you to help RANDOLPH COUNTY's economic and workforce development through the increased services we will be able to offer.

Do you have more questions? Please go to our FAQ page.