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The leadership seems to think more money will fix the "school" problem. Only 15% of homes in Madison have children that go to the school system, so that means 85% do not have children in the school system. The school board has a pe coach and a chess coach running the school board and they influence the city counsel. That's kinda like getting financial advice from your plumber? The poor mayor seems to be very confused along with an array of individuals that make up a city council that may be the worst in the history of the city. I have lived in Madison 40 years and between the roads, planning, traffic, etc, it's the worst I've seen. They blame it on rapid growth but Madison has had a moritoruim for new development over 2 yrs., the poverty rates are increasing because Triana is building at record pace( the city has no authority over growth there) while they make it impossible for new high end developments to come in. The saving grace is minor league baseball? All this while people moving in are going to Athens, East Limestone, Priveville, etc. Madison is getting expensive compared to areas that have better planning, traffic and all the chips are on the school system. If Madison is so great, why is industry choosing Huntsville, why is the Clift Farm development in Madison county? Why are developers and builders choosing others areas and the only thing left is existing phases in subdivisions that all look exactly the same other than the front door and shutter color? Why does it take 10 min to go thru a 4 way stop? How many tire stores, gas stations and churches can one city have? Madison has to borrow a jail, buy water and utilities from other municipalities, why is most of hwy 72 frontage owned by the city of Huntsville? And a 12 mil tax increase will cure all these problems? And they wanted 20 mil..
Most residents realize the importance of a good school system, regardless of whether they have children in school.
Madison's main problem is that it's a bedroom community with not enough retail ... and subsequent sales tax income ... to do all that needs doing. Property taxes have to make up at least some of that difference.
I think it's kinda funny that people will move into a booming, prosperous town, enjoy all the benefits ... and then don't want anybody else to move in.
...the poverty rates are increasing because Triana is building at record pace( the city has no authority over growth there) while they make it impossible for new high end developments to come in.
I'm confused, can you clarify how development of Triana increases the poverty rate? There might be a difference of opinion of high-end developments but 1/3 to 1/2 million dollar homes doesn't strike me as low-end.
The only thing the area does lack is retail. It is pretty much non existent south of Martin while other areas are over saturated. I could see that as a factor maybe?
I'm confused, can you clarify how development of Triana increases the poverty rate? There might be a difference of opinion of high-end developments but 1/3 to 1/2 million dollar homes doesn't strike me as low-end.
The only thing the area does lack is retail. It is pretty much non existent south of Martin while other areas are over saturated. I could see that as a factor maybe?
Well, of course, "new development" in Triana is only shacks with outdoor plumbing.
To clarify, not sure of the number now, but Triana use to have about 400 or so students, most of those low income areas. I'm sure that number is higher now. If you couple that with these dsld, breland and other spec homes that have been rezoned and without phase agreements that will increase the poverty rates. That's why developers are flocking to Triana to build 200k homes, the council can not impose their power in that area but the children have to go to a city school. The city council and the school board will never mention any of this especially in the environment we are in now. These new "higher end" places have phase agreements and impact fees coming so they will be built at about 10-1. 10 average homes about 200k verses verses 1 higher end home. This will slowly erode the schools. Look at Huntsville. The teachers and administrators are no better than the Limestone, Priceville or Athens teachers and administrators other than their paychecks. Madison has stopped development of new areas and this is crippling the city. All this while these lower end areas are very busy building. Look what happened to Huntsville. Ask Huntsville how great minor league baseball is, they had the stars when Jose and Jordan played and still nobody came to the games. None of this is ground breaking news, that's why the city has no industry, no commercial and business owners leaving the city or moving to Huntsville or Athens. Why would there really be a property tax increase? The money will not cure the school problem. Remember the school tax issue about 2 yrs ago, they put out a media campaign.. if this was settled then all of Madisons problems would be solved. As soon as that was settled, here comes another campaign on a property tax increase. Think about it, a pe coach is spearheading city business. There will never be enough money because the money will always be mismanaged. Look at other municipalities around the area, everyone is experiencing growth because of the job market. I'll call it now, the property tax increase will be voted down 70% to 30% and that is being very generous. People really do not pay attention to what the tax money goes for, the city is shaking your hand and smiling rainbows and unicorns while their other hand is on your wallet.
To clarify, not sure of the number now, but Triana use to have about 400 or so students, most of those low income areas. I'm sure that number is higher now. If you couple that with these dsld, breland and other spec homes that have been rezoned and without phase agreements that will increase the poverty rates. That's why developers are flocking to Triana to build 200k homes, the council can not impose their power in that area but the children have to go to a city school. The city council and the school board will never mention any of this especially in the environment we are in now. These new "higher end" places have phase agreements and impact fees coming so they will be built at about 10-1. 10 average homes about 200k verses verses 1 higher end home. This will slowly erode the schools. Look at Huntsville. The teachers and administrators are no better than the Limestone, Priceville or Athens teachers and administrators other than their paychecks. Madison has stopped development of new areas and this is crippling the city. All this while these lower end areas are very busy building. Look what happened to Huntsville. Ask Huntsville how great minor league baseball is, they had the stars when Jose and Jordan played and still nobody came to the games. None of this is ground breaking news, that's why the city has no industry, no commercial and business owners leaving the city or moving to Huntsville or Athens. Why would there really be a property tax increase? The money will not cure the school problem. Remember the school tax issue about 2 yrs ago, they put out a media campaign.. if this was settled then all of Madisons problems would be solved. As soon as that was settled, here comes another campaign on a property tax increase. Think about it, a pe coach is spearheading city business. There will never be enough money because the money will always be mismanaged. Look at other municipalities around the area, everyone is experiencing growth because of the job market. I'll call it now, the property tax increase will be voted down 70% to 30% and that is being very generous. People really do not pay attention to what the tax money goes for, the city is shaking your hand and smiling rainbows and unicorns while their other hand is on your wallet.
We'll see how it plays out. I think the property tax increase will pass. We'll find out this fall.
I pretty much agree on the minor league baseball team and the money being spent on it. It seems risky, and I hope it doesn't turn out to be a white elephant.
If the property tax does pass, Madison will have a higher millage than Huntsville. If they think business is bad now, what till new business comes to the area. Pay higher tax and be in the middle of this mess or go to Huntsville or Athens where open arms are welcoming. Wonder why the new Toyota spin off went to Athens? 400 plus jobs announced last week... because Madison made it too difficult to build. Madison’s worst nightmare would be if Huntsville or Limestone decides to put a school
In the western part. If someone is moving here, they look at the affordability compared to other areas. Why live in Madison where traffic is horrible, roads are really bad and it’s twice as high with taxes? I guess time will tell. It just is a shame because it could be a wonderful place on Huntsville’s back, instead their arrogance and ignorance in business is astonishing.. but I guess that’s what we get with a bunch of “educators” As they call themselves
Madison City School board is not being led by a "chess coach". Here is a bio on Ms. Bartlett from Madison City School website, "Ranae earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law where she was a member of the Arkansas Law Review and member of the National Moot Court team. Upon graduating from law school, she clerked for the Honorable Henry A. Politz, Chief Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Ranae graduated with high honors from the University of Central Arkansas, earning a Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in mathematics and political science." She began a wonderful chess program in Madison that is of great benefit to the children in it.
She is very well educated and is doing what's best for the school system in Madison.
As far as all of the ignorant comments about Triana, here as a brief history about why Triana is part of Madison City School system found directly from Madison City Schools website. http://data.madisoncity.k12.al.us/do...0Sanderson.pdf
Where are the children of Triana suppose to go to school? Kick them out of Madison City Schools and the schools they were attending (Bob Jones, Liberty, West Madison, Madison...) when they were county schools. Bob Jones, etc. we're county schools before Madison city schools decided to split and have their own school system.
Triana has one retail store, a Dollar General. As far as tax money from retail, Everyone in Triana spends their money in Madison and Huntsville. Just like Madison residents spend their money in Huntsville and Huntsville residents spend their money in Madison. It all evens out. Where do you think Triana residents go out to eat? Go to the movies, shop for clothes, etc? Go grocery shopping? They are paying the retail tax just like everyone else.
The homes being built and the residents moving to Triana are not contributing to the poverty levels in Madison City Schools anymore than those who are moving to Madison are contributing to those levels. The residents are helping to lead and are contributors to the schools (2 of the past 3 PTA presidents at Columbia Elementary where they attend reside, or did reside, in Triana, and the president elect for the upcoming school year is also from Triana). The us versus them mentality is quite old and tired.
You have residents from Triana who are AYSO soccer volunteer coaches and Basketball Association of Madison volunteer coaches. Madison and Triana residents work together and their children go to school together.
One more thing. The population of Triana in 2010 was around 500 people. That number has grown tremendously between two-three thousand. Right now there are around 400 kids who attend Madison City Schools (and who's parents pay taxes to Madison City Schools just like Madison). I attended the growth forum Madison City Schools held in Triana and their projected number, if every square inch in Triana was built out in 20 years with no controlled growth, was 800 kids. Most of the land surrounding Triana is Huntsville, and after the subdivisions that are going up are built out, there really isn't much more land that is Triana/zoned for Madison City Schools.
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