News Summary
The Logan County School Board has approved a Nickel Tax proposal to be placed on the November ballot, aiming to fund improvements for Auburn Elementary School. The tax is expected to generate over a million dollars annually to support necessary maintenance and construction amidst growing student enrollment. The proposed tax will increase the school tax rate, with the goal of enhancing facilities to accommodate a rising number of students, as the community faces urgent needs for educational improvements.
Auburn – The Logan County School Board has officially approved a proposal to place a construction Nickel Tax on the November 2026 ballot, aimed at funding improvements for Auburn Elementary School. The decision was made during a board meeting held on August 26, 2025, in response to the district’s growing student population and the urgent need for facility upgrades.
The Nickel Tax is projected to generate more than a million dollars annually for the school system, which will be exclusively used for maintenance, repairs, and construction of school facilities. Currently, Logan County boasts one of the lowest school district tax rates in Kentucky, ranking in the bottom 12% out of 171 districts. The proposed tax will increase the school tax rate to approximately 52.2 cents, which could elevate the district’s rank from 151 to 130 statewide.
Auburn Elementary, a facility with sections dating back to 1958, is facing significant challenges due to its outdated infrastructure. The inadequacy of the existing building limits renovation options, prompting the need for a new school construction project. The proposed site for the new Auburn Elementary will be on a newly acquired 30-acre property located just outside the city limits of Auburn.
Student Growth Trends
Superintendent Dan Costellow indicated that Auburn has experienced a notable annual growth rate of approximately 30 students over the last four years. This steady increase in enrollment has placed significant strains on current facilities. Meanwhile, ongoing redistricting efforts have offered minimal relief, proving insufficient in addressing the persistent growth issue.
Costellow noted that adequate facilities are vital for ensuring safety and providing students with appropriate learning opportunities. He emphasized that if the Nickel Tax does not pass, student redistricting may become necessary to alleviate overcrowding at Auburn Elementary. Such step could disrupt the established community and student friendships, as students might be required to relocate to different schools.
Community Response and Challenges
A petition submitted by community members opposing last year’s tax garnered enough signatures to require a public vote. There was no public vote then, as the proposal was recalled. However, the Logan County School Board’s decision to place the new Nickel Tax on the ballot reflects an effort to address the community’s concerns and the need for improved educational facilities in light of continual enrollment growth.
If approved, the new Auburn Elementary is anticipated to be completed within three years, a significant reduction in time compared to the estimated ten years without the funding from the Nickel Tax. Moreover, it has been reported that effectively informing the community about the proposal’s benefits could help shift any opposition into support.
Conclusion
The upcoming November 2026 ballot represents a crucial opportunity for Auburn’s residents to address urgent educational facility needs. The proposed Nickel Tax stands as a pivotal measure to provide the necessary capital for building a new Auburn Elementary School, ultimately serving the growing population of students while enhancing their educational experience.
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Additional Resources
- WBKO: Logan County Schools Vote on Construction Nickel Tax
- Wikipedia: Nickel Tax
- Franklin Favorite: Another Relevant News Article
- Google Search: Logan County Schools Nickel Tax
- News Channel Nebraska: Logan County Encourages Extension of Sales Tax
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Public Finance
- WBKO: New Logan County Nickel Tax Added to Fund Area Schools
- Google News: Logan County Schools
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