Joint meetings of the Butler County Commission and the Butler County Board of Education have been scheduled, to address the upcoming "School Tax" election.

That, according to Allen Stephenson, chairman of the "Friends of Butler County Schools" is an attempt to bring "informed" voters out to the polls on May 1, 2001.

"Two meetings have been scheduled," said Stephenson. "The first will be held at the Georgiana High School auditorium on Monday, Mar. 12 at 7 p.m.

the second will be at the Butler County Board of Education's central office on Administrative Drive in Greenville on Thursday, Mar. 15, also at 7 p.m."

Stephenson said the meetings are designed to address any disparities that may be there regarding the ad valorem tax issue.

"These two meetings will give all those with questions, doubts or criticisms regarding our public school funding an opportunity to come and get their questions answered," he said. "Obviously, there are people who have made up their minds without ever seeking the truth."

Stephenson said that people should reflect back on their own educations.

"Some of these people were educated in the public schools, but have forgotten who paid the bills," Stephenson said.

"This is a rare occasion where the County Commission and the Board of Education will jointly meet in Town Hall' style, to answer any and all questions the public has regarding the issue," he said, "and we urge anyone with any doubts to please come to one of the meetings-this is not a new' tax, but is strictly a renewal of an old one."