THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 17, 1996 TAG: 9603150227
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF STORY
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
Beginning April 1, if a census-taker knocks on your door with a form from the school system, pay attention. It could affect your city property taxes.
Census-takers will begin seeking information door-to-door in all city neighborhoods, and the cooperation of local residents is needed to ensure that Suffolk Public Schools receives all the state funds for which it is qualified.
The form is part of a census the state requires all Virginia school systems to conduct every three years. The census shows how many children of school age, between 4 and 19, reside in each locality.
The Suffolk school system's share of the state sales tax will be determined by the number of kids who are counted.
The more kids, the more money the state gives city schools, and the less money Suffolk taxpayers have to pay for education.
The 14 census-takers will identify themselves with badges as well as an identification statement signed by Supt. Joyce H. Trump.
They will verify the information gathered through door-to-door surveys using school rosters, both public and private, as a means of double-checking that data.
This fiscal year, the school system is getting $351 in state sales tax money per child. That's about $5,759,414 all told, said Michael Brinkley, finance director of Suffolk Public Schools.
The census costs the school system about $25,000 to conduct.
Parents are asked to supply the names and birthdates of each of the school-age children who still reside in their homes, even those who attend preschools, private schools, boarding schools, trade schools or colleges. Children in jail or a hospital should be included.
The information on the surveys, which will continue through June 30, is kept strictly confidential.
The state receives only a number, no names. The forms are kept on file for three years in case the state decides to audit the school system. MEMO: JUST THE FACTS
What is it? A survey of school-age children in Suffolk. The state
requires local school districts to conduct the survey every three
years.
What does it mean? The state decides how much sales tax revenue to
give school systems based upon the census figures. So the more Suffolk
children accounted for in the census, the more state money the school
system gets. That lightens the burden on city taxpayers.
When will it happen? April 1 through June 30.
What should I do? List all children between the ages of 4 and 19
whose legal residence is your home, even if they are away at school or
in private school. If you do not have any school-age kids at home, sign
the blank form. by CNB