Wednesday, November 1, 2000
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Wednesday, November 1, 2000 |
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Will $65 million school bond pass this time? By PAT NEWMAN
The signs are up "School Bond, Vote Yes at End of Ballot" and supporters are out in force at high school football games and school events circulating informational fliers about the bond. Fayette County voters will vote yes or no on Tuesday for a $65 million bond issue for new school construction. The package includes funding for three new elementary schools, a new high school, and upgrades at older schools such as rewiring and relighting, new ceilings, and improvements in kitchens and restrooms. The bond will be enacted for 10 years if passed and will add to the school bond tax starting with the 2001 tax bill. A 10-year payback was decided upon since current bond indebtedness was factored into the payback schedule. According to Jim Stephens, school finance director, this will keep the bond payments at a stable level, while paying off the interest and principle on the other bonds. "The maintenance and operation millage was lowered for this year, which will result in a minimal tax increase if the bond passes," Stephens said. The need for new school construction comes as a result of steady population growth in the county. School officials report that there are 100 portable classrooms currently being used at area schools and the system continues to add between 500 and 700 students per year. The Governor's A+ Reform Act mandates school systems to lower class size, which puts an additional burden on already overtaxed school facilities. A recent town hall meeting addressed several questions which voters have concerning the bond, such as where the schools would be located. Mike Satterfield, facilities director for the school system, said the schools would be built in the areas experiencing the most growth. One elementary school would likely be located along the Ga. Highway 74 corridor, another in the West Village section of Peachtree City and a third probably between Fayetteville and Brooks. The new high school would be situated somewhere south of Fayetteville, Satterfield suggested. No land has been purchased by the board of education for the schools to date, but large tracts are being sought. As for easing overcrowding until the schools are built, the first choice of the facilities advisory committee which has tackled the growth issue for months is more portables. The second alternative would be to redraw school district lines, sending students to schools less crowded facilities, therefore maximizing the use of existing classroom space. Double or split sessions ranked lower on the list of options, with the least palatable being a trimester system. If the bond passes, construction may begin as early as spring 2001 for the elementary schools, since a prototype school exists and can be easily adjusted to fit a building site and the specific needs of the school population. However, land must first be acquired. Sam Burch and Trina Berry, cochairmen of the Community Coalition for Fayette Schools, are upbeat and optimistic about the passage of the bond. Their one concern is that voters stick with the lengthy general election ballot and work their way down to the last item, which is the bond question. "They've got to stick with it," Burch said.
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