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School Board OKs Nov. 2 vote on $65 million bond referendum

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@thecitizennews.com

The Fayette County Board of Education voted unanimously last Thursday to approve the school system’s $65 million bond resolution.

The bond issue goes before the voters Nov. 2 and would fund a number of new projects, additions and upgrades for the school system.

The resolution gives the board authority to finance the acquisition, construction and equipping of new and existing facilities.

Included on the list are:

• Two new elementary schools. The sites have yet to be determined.

• One new middle school adjacent to Cleveland Elementary on Lester Road in the center of the county.

• 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 board also established the millage rate for the school system this year. The maintenance and operation rate is 19.19.

The rate is slightly higher than last year’s 18.869. School officials said if you have a home worth $200,000, your tax bill will increase by just over $19.

Superintendent John DeCotis told the board the increase was due to the state reducing the funding to Fayette County schools by $8 million over the last three years.

Another factor in the increase in taxes was the local tax digest. DeCotis said the system anticipated the digest growing by just over 9 percent, but it only grew by 6.5 percent.