TRUSSVILLE, Alabama (WBRC) – The Trussville community met at Cahaba Elementary School Thursday to learn more about a proposed property tax increase ahead of next Tuesday’s election.

Property taxes would increase by $12.9 million. That’s about $129 per $100,000.

Opponents of the change told WBRC they fear the situation will escalate and the school system will ultimately demand more from residents.

Supporters say the burden is not too great, adding that children are the future and there should be no limits to the help they can receive.

The goal is to further fund public education by building a new elementary school, making improvements to the existing middle school, and adding a new wing to the high school.

The superintendent of Trussville City Schools says the money is needed for the expansion.

He says Paine Elementary School is already the largest elementary school in the state and told WBRC that the high school is currently at 106% capacity.

“We want to make sure we can provide an excellent educational program for our students, and that’s really difficult when our class sizes are large,” said Superintendent Dr. Patrick Martin.

City leaders will hold another public meeting at Paine Elementary School on Monday at 6 p.m.

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