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Editorial<br>Donating to tax credit is <br>a winning situation for all<br>

The donation will cost you nothing. Any citizen who paid state taxes during the year can donate to the Arizona School Tax Credit. If you choose to donate locally, your monies will benefit students of Williams Public Schools. The maximum amount for those who claim single status on their tax return is $200. For those who file jointly, the maximum amount is $250. Give now and your donation will be refunded in full when you file your income taxes in 2005. When you file your taxes and claim the school tax credit in your deductions, you may be reducing the amount of your taxes owned or increasing the amount of your refund.

How will your donation help a child? The tax credit provides a vehicle for you to personally boost extra-curricular activities — which are grossly under-funded in this district due to budget constraints — to enhance what is offered locally to our children. The benefits our children will reap from the extra boost we give them will benefit us all in the years to come.

Tax credit donation forms are currently available at the WUSD Superintendent’s Office. After obtaining a form, the next step is determining which program you would like to boost and how much you would like to donate. No amount is too small to donate.

The Site Based Council manages the tax credit general fund at each school — the Williams Elementary-Middle School and the Williams High School. District staff, administrators, parents and community members are on each Site Based Council. A few programs that need assistance at the WEMS include art, band, educational field trips (please specify grade) and Special Olympics. At the WHS, programs that can use some help include art, band and Special Olympics.

If you have no children, have forgotten what it is like to attend school and what is needed in the classroom, or just don’t know where your money should go, ask a child, or contact the district office. Remember that contributions can be split between programs. Choosing only one program is not mandatory. If you still cannot decide where your money is needed, your donation can be placed in the tax credit general fund. Site Based Council members will then decide where your money can be used the most effectivley.

If you donate to any school sports program, you can designate your monies to a specific sport — baseball, softball, volleyball, basketball, football or track. School clubs that can use your help include the National Honor Society, Publications, Future Business Leaders of America, the Builders’ Club, Academic Decathlon and the WHS Rifle Club. Athletic programs, school clubs and the vocational education department benefits greatly from your donation. While these programs can have a huge impact on students, funds are cut from these programs first since core curriculum classes must remain a priority. For many students, extra-curricular activities keep them motivated and enrolled in school.

Donating to the Arizona School Tax Credit is really not a donation at all. Rather, it is merely a small loan since your money is returned to you via your income taxes. Your tax credit donation can be sent to the WUSD No. 2, P.O. Box 427, Williams, AZ 86046. All donations must be postmarked by Dec. 31. If you choose to hand-deliver your donation to the district office, the donation must be received b 3 p.m. on Dec. 30. The district office will be closed on Dec. 31. A receipt will be sent to you along with a form to use when filing your taxes. The district office is located at 515 S. Ninth St. For more information, contact the staff at the district office at (928) 635-4473.


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