Committee pushes to raise Rockingham County sales tax

By Heather Smith

Published: April 23, 2008

REIDSVILLE - A referendum committee supporting the passage of the quarter-percent sales tax to benefit school construction filed with the Rockingham County Board of Elections last week.

Save Our Schools, a committee set up by Reidsville’s Craig Cardwell, has three weeks to raise support for the referendum, but it has a plan to reach as many people as possible.

Cardwell said the committee raised about $1,000 to pay for signs and advertisements. The core of 12 active members is spreading the message by e-mail and conversation to raise awareness of the school system’s needs.

“We’re trying to focus on the kids and educating them,“ Cardwell said. “A group of us have gotten together to try to get this passed for the good of our schools.“

Cardwell said members of the committee, like those who oppose the sales tax, worry about adding a tax because of Rockingham County’s uncertain economy. It would not apply to certain necessities, Cardwell said, which spares poor households while benefiting education.

“When you look at the fact that food, gas, and utilities won’t be taxed, the greatest impact won’t be on low-income families that can only afford the necessities,“ Cardwell said. “It’ll have the most impact on people who can afford to buy expensive things.“

He points to a similar situation in Guilford County. Voters there will decide if the school system will receive a $412.3 million bond to build new schools that will accommodate the county’s growing population. Cardwell said many advertisements promoting the bond were paid for by businesses because they see a link between a solid economic base and a good school district.

“Businesses will look at the area’s education system before you even know they’re looking at you,“ Cardwell said.

Cardwell was among the many Reidsville residents who spoke during the April 14 meeting of the Rockingham County school board. Some called for board members to re-examine construction order of four new schools around the county. In December, the board voted to replace Douglass and Draper Elementary schools in Eden first, Stoneville Elementary School third, and the main classroom building of Reidsville High last if enough money is left over.

Speakers said Eden will receive two new schools without a tax increase, so Eden residents have no incentive to vote for the sales tax. Without the extra borrowing power, some making comments said Reidsville would wait decades before it saw improvement.

The school board voted to withdraw its December build order, leaving order undecided in an effort to unify the county in support of the quarter-percent sales tax.
Cardwell said he addressed the school board, not as the executive director of the Annie Penn Community Trust, which is how he is usually identified, but as a Reidsville resident. His job leads him into schools all over Rockingham County where he hears stories of children in great need. Though his work with the school system, he believes officials are using every funding resource available and it is still not enough.

Another committee, Rockingham County Residents for a Better Economy, opposes the sales tax and calls for reduced spending at the county level. The group’s spokesman, Jeffrey Sykes, said an equally vocal group of county merchants and small business owners believe increased sales tax will make the county’s revenue woes worse.

“Rockingham County’s sales tax revenue is 35 percent lower than the rest of the state,“ Sykes said. “A higher tax is not going to attract new businesses here. It’s going hurt small merchants and make it hard for them to stay in business. It’s going to make the problem worse.“

Sykes said the county commissioners should not pile more downward pressure on local businesses. Instead, Sykes said, elected officials should concentrate on making Rockingham County businesses stronger and waiting until the resulting revenue can finance school improvement.

“I believe the county has better options than raising taxes,“ Sykes said. “It can cut spending, but some commissioners won’t look at the problem in the broader context.“

Cardwell believes county schools will not improve by postponing action, waiting for state or federal money that may never arrive. A good education would ensure children graduate with marketable skills that will attract businesses into the area.

“I think this will be how we turn this county around,“ Cardwell said. “If you’re against it, then I encourage you to find a way to meet the need.“

Staff writer Heather J. Smith can be reached at or 623-2155, ext. 15.