The Richmond County School Board not only wants a refund of recent sales taxes collected by the state, the board is asking lawmakers to exempt all schools from paying the tax in the first place.

On Tuesday, the board voted unanimously to pass a resolution asking the state to return the money to the county government so it can be spent on the construction of Chalk Road School.

“Why do we have to go through this,” board member Tom McInnis asked the board.

“We’re not supposed to have to do this,” McInnis said. “It’s a complete sham. We’re a publicly-controlled entity and we shouldn’t have to pay the tax in the first place.”

He made a motion, seconded by fellow board member Ed Ormsby, to send a resolution to the North Carolina General Assembly asking it to pass a resolution declaring no school in North Carolina should have to pay a sales tax in the first place.

The board passed this measure unanimously as well.

In other business:

n The board also voted unanimously to pass a School Improvement Plan presented by RCS Assistant Superintendent Dr. Michael Perry.

The plan is aimed at improving scores on standardized “No Child Left Behind” testing and involved aligning a strategic plan with the goals of the state’s school systems.

These goals include: Producing globally competitive students, being led by 21st century professionals, being healthy and responsible, having leadership guide innovation and being governed and supported by 21st century systems.

n The board heard an update on Richmond Early College High School, which is held on the campus of Richmond Community College and allows high school students to earn both a diploma and an associate’s degree in five years.

School Principal Lawanda Walker and Student Body President Jeremy Butler addressed the board.

n The board also unanimously passed a resolution to hold a public hearing on the closing of the Hoffman facility for school purposes, and closing Ashley Chapel as an elementary school to accommodate the Richmond County Transitional School.

The transitional school is currently housed at the Hoffman facility, and under the Richmond County Schools Realignment Plan the students from Ashley Chapel would be moved to Cordova School next year as they await completion of Chalk Road Elementary.

When Chalk Road opens in 2010, it will house students from Ashley Chapel, Cordova and Rohanen Primary schools.

The first step for RCS after closing the Hoffman facility would be offering it to the county government for its use.