Service members are hesitant to move their families to the community surrounding Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base citing lack of quality public education, reports Al.com.

“Without more options for quality public education, we risk Maxwell and Gunter missions being reduced or relocated to communities that offer quality public education,” said retried Brig. Gen. Trent Edwards at a news conference last week.

City and county leaders support a ballot measure in the November election which would raise property taxes in the area, thereby affecting funding to the public school system. The proposal would provide an additional $33 million annually for the education system.

“Education changes outcomes, it changes families, it changes generations, it changes communities,” said Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed. “We can’t get that type of educational product without investing in it at the same level. We have to do that by voting for this initiative on November 3.”

Photo by the Montgomery Advertiser