District Seeks To Solve Overcrowding at Cherokee High School

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CANTON, GA -- At its April 21 meeting, the Cherokee County School Board took its first look at tentative plans for Cherokee County School District construction projects and other Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax expenses for the next five years.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Hightower and his staff during the work session presented an overview of plans for the next Ed SPLOST renewal and associated bonds, which will be put before voters in November.

The referendum will seek $115 million in funding for three school construction projects, major renovations and repairs, continuation of district's national award-winning technology program, replacement of aging school buses, land acquisition with a focus on a solution for Cherokee High School overcrowding and “the No. 1 priority”: continued retirement of bond debt from the last 15 years of construction projects.

“The growth has returned to the county,” Bill Sebring, assistant superintendent for Support Services and Facilities and Construction Management, said of the need for continued use of Ed SPLOST, noting there are 21 current residential developments with construction of thousands of homes underway. “Things are percolating out there, and that’s obvious if you ride around the district.”

Sebring outlined the proposed construction projects: a 20-classroom addition at Woodstock Middle, a 24-classroom addition at Mill Creek Middle and an auxiliary gymnasium/multi-use learning space at Woodstock High School; CCSD also will earn $3.5 million in state funding to help fund this $18.5 million in new construction.

The Ed SPLOST renewal will fund the purchase of more than 150 school buses between 2018 and 2022, as well as land acquisition in central Cherokee large enough for a high school campus in the area between Cherokee and Woodstock high schools.

Dr. Hightower said the system is in a strong position to continue reducing its bond debt using Ed SPLOST revenue, and the board heard a presentation from its bond underwriters that an upcoming refunding will save the district more than $3 million in interest. Should the Ed SPLOST not be approved by voters, the property tax millage rate will be increased by 5 mills in order to make debt repayments.

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