Wednesday, May 19, 2004

Sales tax or bond? BoE still undecided By JOHN THOMPSON jthompson@TheCitizenNews.com Sales tax or bond referendum? The Fayette County Board of Education still hasn’t made up its mind. Although voters don’t know yet how they will pay for the projects, the school board Monday night finalized a list of $65 million in additions and upgrades for the system. The board has been creating a list of possible projects for months, and Superintendent of Schools John DeCotis presented the latest version to the board May 17. The project list no longer includes additions to Sandy Creek High School and Whitewater High School for inclusion on a bond or sales tax vote. But board members indicated those projects would receive a high priority when the economy improves. Included on the list is • Two new elementary schools. • One new middle school. • An upgraded media center at Brooks Elementary. • New energy management systems at East Fayette Elementary and Fayette Middle schools. • A new coat of paint and carpeting at several schools, including Huddleston Elementary and Peachtree City Elementary schools. • Classroom additions at Peeples Elementary and Rising Starr Middle schools. The list DeCotis presented to the board totaled $63.3 million, but board member Greg Powers voiced his concern over the 10 percent contingency fund. “In my business, I’ve seen the price of steel rise through the roof in the last few months, and I’d be more comfortable with an additional 5 percent added to the contingency fund,” he said. Adding the additional money for contingencies would pus the total past $66 million, which did not sit well with board member Lee Wright. “I think $65 million is just more palatable,” he said. The board members agreed with Wright, but did not specify which funding mechanism they would choose for the projects. “That’s the subject of another meeting,” said DeCotis.