Another bond issue, or special local option sales tax is expected to be on the ballot in November, based on the Fayette County School Board's need to come up with $12 million in local funds to build two new schools. County school superintendent Dr. John DeCotis was directed by the board Monday night “pursue some options” on how to package a SPLOST or a bond issue to come up with the $12 million necessary to accept $8,416,458 in state capital and growth funds plus fulfill needs at existing schools. School board chairman Debbie Condon said, “Let's look at it, a SPLOST and a bond issue, and see how each will affect the taxpayer. We also need to address equity among different schools.”

Last August, the board approved and accepted the state application to obtain state funding for one new elementary school and one new middle school. The dilemma is coming up with the local share. Failure to produce the local funds for the elementary school by June of next year, and the middle school by July 2001 would result in the board losing the $8 million in state funds.

Failure of last year's SPLOST forced the school board to dip into its reserve fund to pay for the construction of Peeples Elementary, according to Debbie Condon, board chairman. “We can't afford to do that anymore,” Condon said. “We had about $14 or $15 million in the reserve fund and we have to build it back up.”

“Timing is crucial,” DeCotis told the board. “Even November is close,” added board member Woody Shelnutt. If the board failed to put together a SPLOST or bond issue by November, they would have to wait until March or April.

Back to News Home Page | Back to the top of the page