Fulton School Board Asks Voters To Extend SPLOST

Sign up for the Johns Creek Patch newsletter!

---

Johns Creek, GA -- At its Thursday board meeting, the Fulton County School Board adopted a resolution that will ask voters to approve extending the existing five-year education sales tax.

Most commonly referred to as SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax), the one-penny sales tax is expected to raise $976.3 million for Fulton County school improvements over a five-year period, 2017-2022.

These improvements translate to new or replacement schools, building additions, and renovations to existing facilities. A large portion of the funds also is earmarked to address aging technology within schools and to support the district’s personalized learning initiatives.

Voters would be asked to adopt the measure on May 24.

“We believe asking voters to extend this school tax is the most fiscally responsible way to improve our schools’ capital needs,” said Board President Linda McCain. “A sales tax takes the burden off of property owners and places it on those who purchase goods and services in Fulton County. Everyone who makes a retail purchase in our county – whether they are a resident or just visiting – would help fund our school improvements.”

School systems, such as Fulton County, have placed SPLOST referendums since 1996 on the ballot so voters can have more choice in how school improvements are funded. Before then, school systems had limited choices – bond referendums and raising taxes.

Bond referendums are generally long-term loans that increase the district’s debt because of the bond interest incurred. To raise funds, school boards also could raise millage rates, which would pass along the tax increase to property owners. By comparison, a SPLOST is a pay-as-you-go-tax and the burden of paying the tax is shared by all retail consumers.

Since its inception, SPLOST has funded 46 new schools and 37 building additions in the Fulton County school system. If passed by voters, the next SPLOST would be a continuation of the current sales tax and would provide for the following improvements:

New construction

The following schools will be constructed to provide classroom space based upon current or projected overcrowding. New STEM focused high school campuses will also create options for students who are seeking a non-traditional, rigorous, STEM-based high school experience in areas such as healthcare, engineering, and computer science.

• New STEM focused high school campus/center – north Fulton
• New STEM focused high school campus/center – south Fulton
• New elementary school – south Fulton
• An additional school or equivalent additions (to accommodate potential growth across the county)

The following schools will be replaced due to costs associated with facility condition, renovations to meet educational requirements, and/or capacity needs.

• Replacement – Crabapple Middle School
• Replacement – Conley Hills Elementary School
• Replacement – McClarin High School
• Replacement – Riverwood International Charter School

School renovations/modification projects, such as:

• Sitework – paving replacement, drainage issues, sidewalks, site lighting
• Life safety – fire alarm systems and fire sprinklers
• Building envelope – roofing, window and door replacement, waterproofing
• Interiors – ceilings replacement, new floor coverings, doors replacement, cabinets, and casework replacement
• Mechanical/Electrical – HVAC upgrade/replacement, toilet exhaust improvements, kiln hoods, new toilet fixtures and electrical upgrades
• Renovations projects also include school support facilities and district-wide emergency facility needs

Many schools also will receive programmatic renovations to better support instruction and to help align schools with Fulton’s educational space standards.

• High school instructional enhancements to minimize high school inequities and support instructional programming
• High school field turf and track surface replacement
• Provide upgrades to middle school media centers
• Replace playgrounds as part of ongoing replacement cycle
• Modifications of facilities for expansion of special needs programs

Technology enhancements

The following systems, hardware, and services will be purchased and implemented for learning and teaching, student and staff productivity, process automation and data utilization, enterprise security and a robust network infrastructure.

• Personalized learning devices
• Wireless network upgrades
• Virtual learning management systems
• Digital curriculum and repository systems
• Interactive classroom technologies
• Enterprise resource planning systems
• Business automation systems
• Student information systems
• Student assessment systems
• Business intelligence systems
• Enterprise security systems
• Records management services
• Internal and external internet websites
• CTAE lab refresh
• Computer and printer refresh
• Productivity tools for students and staff
• Professional learning services
• Wide Area Network (WAN) services
• Unified communication systems
• Device management systems
• Data center upgrades and improvements
• Disaster recovery services

Furniture and equipment

• Purchase and install furniture and equipment to enhance and/or refresh items located at existing schools and new construction.
• Support options for flexible classroom furniture as replacement occurs.

Capital seed fund

• Support minor capital projects to implement programmatic innovations by local schools.

Safety and security

• Security camera upgrades
• Wireless communications upgrades
• Visitor and volunteer management system/access control improvements
• Equipment and vehicles for emergency response personnel

Transportation

• School bus vehicle replacement
• Support fleet vehicle replacement
• Fleet shop maintenance equipment replacement
• Bus passenger safety enhancements
• Automated fuel management system

Debt service

• Retirement of outstanding general operating debt and the payment on other construction bonds.

The current SPLOST ends on June 30, 2017. Collection of the next SPLOST tax would begin July 1, 2017, if approved by voters.

More information about past and current SPLOST-funded projects is posted online at www.fultonschools.org/SPLOST.

---

Image via Shutterstock