Election Day: What Sandy Springs Citizens Need To Know

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- Voters in Sandy Springs will have no shortage of races and questions on the ballot when they head to the polls on Tuesday.

That's because the May 24 primary and special election will take place, and (hopefully) thousands of citizens will turn out to make their voices known on three key races in the area.

Polls will open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and voters are reminded to bring photo identification with them in order to take part in the democratic process.

• Unsure where to vote? Click here to access the Georgia My Voter Page!

Perhaps the race that will have the most direct impact on Sandy Springs voters is the five-way race to fill the District 3 seat on the City Council.

The District 3 seat became vacant with former City Councilman Graham McDonald resigned to run for the House District 52 seat. The five candidates running to succeed McDonald on the Council are Larry Young, Suzi Voyles, Joe Houseman, Brian Eufinger and Chris Burnett.

Election Day voting for the nonpartisan special election -- held for District 3 residents only -- will take place in the Round Program Building at Hammond Park at 6005 Glenridge Drive. Residents in this district should note that in order to vote in the May 24 primary election, they will have to visit their polling places assigned by Fulton County to cast ballots.

The winner of the race will serve out the unexpired term until the 2017 general election.

Next up is the State House District 52 race, which features McDonald and Deborah Silcox vying to become the next Republican state representative.

That race got off to a sensational start when retired State Rep. Joe Wilkinson alleged that McDonald and his supporters worked to sabotage his re-election bid.

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Last, but most certainly not the least, is the question on whether to continue the Education Special Purpose Location Option Sales Tax. 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.

If passed by voters, the next SPLOST would provide for the following improvements:

New construction

• 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.

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.

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