Mike Ewton: Supporting public schools and empowering citizens to invest in public education

Published 11:00 am Tuesday, December 10, 2024

As a public school system, Whitfield County Schools values our partnerships with individuals and businesses who help support our students inside and outside of the classroom. In addition to volunteering and donating resources, citizens and business owners now have a new way to help our schools.

The Georgia PEACH (Promoting Educational Assistance and Community Help) tax credit program offers taxpayers an opportunity to support public schools while controlling how a portion of their state income taxes will be used. This innovative initiative boosts educational funding and is designed to foster a stronger connection between communities and the schools that serve them.

The PEACH tax credit allows Georgia taxpayers to redirect a portion of their state income tax liability to benefit their local public schools. Individuals, couples and businesses can participate in the program and contribute funds directly to eligible public schools or districts of their choice. These contributions help address critical needs, fund educational programs and enhance the overall quality of education by supplementing classroom resources, supporting extracurricular programs, investing in professional development or upgrading facilities and equipment.

Whitfield County Schools has three projects approved for PEACH tax credit funding. Up to $150,000 can be allocated to OneWhitfield Reads, a program designed to support early literacy efforts by providing books to families and teaching parents strategies to help their children improve reading and writing skills.

To further enhance graduation rates, $35,000 will support the expansion of the Saturday Success Academy, which offers Saturday school opportunities for high school students needing academic or attendance recovery.

Additionally, students in the healthcare career pathway at the Northwest Georgia College & Career Academy will benefit from creating a Healthcare Simulation Lab. This facility will feature advanced manikins that simulate realistic medical symptoms, allowing students to practice diagnosing and treating various conditions. The cost of the manikins is $60,648.

Participating in the PEACH tax credit program is a win-win situation. Your contribution directly benefits the public school district you select, allowing you to see the tangible results of your support. You receive a dollar-for-dollar credit on your Georgia state income taxes, reducing your tax liability without increasing your out-of-pocket expense. Investing in local schools strengthens our community by promoting educational growth and success.

Getting involved in the PEACH tax credit program is simple. Individual and business taxpayers should consult their tax advisers or review their previous year’s state income tax returns to estimate their tax liability and eligible contribution. You can apply on the Georgia Foundation for Public Education website at gfpe.org/tax_credit. The state allocates credits on a first-come, first-served basis, so early applications are encouraged. Once approved, your contribution will be routed to your chosen public school or district account. Report your contribution on your Georgia state income tax return to receive your credit.

Taxpayers can significantly impact students in our community by directing funds that would otherwise be sent to the state. We are grateful to the state for providing this mutually beneficial opportunity to local communities. If interested, please consult your tax professional or go to gfpe.org/tax_credit for more information on the PEACH tax credit and its benefits to public schools and school systems.

Mike Ewton is superintendent of Whitfield County Schools.