Supporters optimistic about vote next Tuesday

By PAT NEWMAN
Staff Writer

Fayette County voters will set the course for the future of the county's school system next Tuesday, when they cast ballots for or against a $90 million SPLOST (special purpose local option sales tax) and bond package.

Supporters of the funding package, designed to finance additional classrooms, technology and security, are optimistic that the 1 percent sales tax will pass. “I have a really good feeling about it,” said Janet Smola, cochairman for the Fayette Citizens for Continued Excellence in Education.

“What's occurring is people are getting comfortable with the facts, and digesting the information. The SPLOST/bond package is in the best interest of the county,” Smola said.

Smola and Don Apking, who cochair the pro-SPLOST coalition, will continue to crisscross the county along with members of the Fayette County Board of Education and staffers up to Tuesday, to address parent/teacher organizations and civic groups about the needs of the school district.

In essence, passage of the sales tax would provide the funds necessary to house and educate 5,000 more students anticipated in the school system over the next five years.

The funds also will provide the money needed to buy property to build two 800-capacity elementary schools, one 1200 capacity middle school and one 1,800-student-capacity high school.

One of the two elementary schools is targeted for construction on a site to be determined south of Fayetteville. The other elementary school and a middle school would be built between Peachtree City and Fayetteville. (See map on Page 6A.) Board members agreed that an escrow account would be set up for a new high school south of Fayetteville. A large enough tract of land for the middle school also would be home to another high school as the future demands.

According to the project proposals, major improvements are planned for all elementary school playgrounds. SPLOST money also will pay for electrical upgrades at Brooks, East Fayette, Fayetteville, Huddleston, Oak Grove, Peachtree City, North Fayette and Tyrone elementary schools. This would allow installation of upgraded technology over five years at these facilities. New lighting and energy management systems are included in the proposal.

Sandy Creek High School is slated to get an auditorium and expanded physical education facilities. Stadium improvements at Fayette County High School will include bleacher repair and replacement of the track. The Starr's Mill Stadium amenities would be included, such as visitors bleachers and visitor's concession stands and press box along with additional physical education buildings. McIntosh High School will get a new physical education facility and major improvements to the existing stadium.

There are currently 98 portable classrooms in place at county schools. Additions at J.C. Booth Middle School and Whitewater Middle School will replace the trailers, combined with the 300 total classrooms slated.

The 1 percent tax would take effect Jan. 1 and remain in place for five years, or when revenues reach $90 million, whichever occurs first. The tax would then be dropped. If the referendum passes, the board of education also will sell $50 million in bonds to have money to jump start construction and improvement projects at all schools.

The Board says it also risks losing millions in state construction money if it cannot provide local matching funds by June 2000 and have projects underway.

Over the last three months, school officials have emphasized that continuing population growth in the county has pushed them to take action.

Smola explained to parents at a SPLOST information meeting at Kedron that in 1996, the Georgia Legislature passed a law allowing referendums for special local option sales taxes with the specific purpose of funding school districts strapped financially due to booming populations. “Out of 159 counties, 125 have voted for a SPLOST since 1996,” she said.

Fayette remains the only county in the metro Atlanta area not to float a SPLOST. Clayton County voters also will vote Tuesday on whether to continue their special sales tax which has been in place for five years. Their projected total is $189 million.

Fayette County now has a 5 percent sales tax. The 1 percent SPLOST would raise it to 6 percent, generating an extra $1.5 million a month, official said.

Dr. John DeCotis, Fayette County school superintendent, has said that failure of SPLOST could result in a higher teacher/student ratio, double sessions and possibly year-round school.