Fulton Voters Appear To Support E-SPLOST Renewal

JOHNS CREEK, GA -- It appears Fulton County voters want to continue a sales tax that will be used for various school improvement projects.

The question on whether to renew the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for Fulton County School System projects appears to be passing with a considerable margin, according to unofficial election results.

With 159 out of 350 Fulton precincts reporting, the renewal is passing with a whopping 78 percent of the vote. Citizens voting against the measure is holding at 22 percent.

“This approval from our voters validates that our community cares about its students and that education is a top priority,” said Kenneth Zeff, interim superintendent. “We will continue to be good stewards of these resources and turn the community’s pennies into millions of dollars of educational 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.

“SPLOST is perhaps the most financially responsible option to fund our school improvements,” said School Board President Linda McCain. “Because it’s a sales tax, the burden is shared among everyone who buys goods and services in Fulton County – many of whom are just visitors to our area. This provides relief to Fulton property owners.”Most commonly called SPLOST, 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.

Since its inception, SPLOST has funded 46 new schools and 37 building additions in the Fulton County school system.

The current SPLOST ends on June 30, 2017. Collection of the next SPLOST tax will begin July 1, 2017. The upcoming SPLOST would provide for the following improvements:

• 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; and
• 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; and
• Modifications of facilities for expansion of special needs programs

Technology enhancements, improving furniture and equipment, transportation and safety and security and retiring outstanding general operating debt and the payment on other construction bonds are also on the table as part of the SPLOST extension.

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