Senior Citizens Could Earn Tax Help

Pine-Richland School District is hoping to partner with senior citizens in the community.

The district is in the planning stages of creating a volunteer program entitled SMILES, which stands for Senior Motivators in Learning and Exchange Services. The program would help seniors earn a tax incentive in exchange for volunteer work.

Property owners age 60 and above could qualify based on the amount of time donated. For example, if a volunteer volunteers 65 hours during the school year at a rate of $10 per hour, that volunteer would receive $650 form the district.

"This is Pine-Richland's way of giving you property tax relief," school director Aafke Loney told a focus group of senior citizens. "You are very valuable parts of our community."

The group met twice to brainstorm a proposal and guidelines that will be presented to the PR School Board in June.

"These are the role models we want our young people to see," Superintendent Dr. James Manley said. 

The positions available at Pine-Richland could range from chaperones, library assistants and guest speakers to ticket takers. 

If a person incapable of volunteering, another senior could put in the hours and donate his or her tax credit another resident. Some volunteer work might even be done from home.

Dr. Manley stressed that volunteers would not replace paid employees, but would enhance student learning and help keep the district running efficiently.

If approved, organizers hope to begin the application process in August.