Fayette schools 1-cent sales tax revenues are approaching $10 million since collections began coming in during May. Thus far approximately $1 million has been spent on technology, textbook purchases and computers.

School system Comptroller Laura Brock told the Fayette County Board of Education Dec. 14 that revenues from the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) are currently running ahead of initial projections, with $9,661,877 collected so far.

Collections on the 1-cent sales tax began in April. Receipts for May totaled nearly $943,000, with those from succeeding months varying between $1.376 million in June to $1.641 million in September.

Approved by voters in November 2008, the SPLOST carries a $115 million maximum, with revenues going for technology, textbook adoption, facilities, security, transportation and debt service.

Expenditures to date include $452,054 for textbook purchases, $349,762 for 21st Century classroom technology upgrades and $195,713 for Dell computer lease payments.

Also at the Dec. 14 meeting, board members agreed to use $5.88 million from bond fund interest earnings and reimbursements on state entitlement funds to finance a number of capital projects. Those projects have been sidelined for three years due to budget cuts, according to Superintendent John DeCotis.

North Fayette Elementary, Burch Elementary and Flat Rock Middle will see $3.485 million in flooring, painting, lighting and ceiling work as part of the school system’s 5-year capital improvement plan.

Another $1.51 million will be spent at the Lafayette Education Center, McIntosh High, Huddleston Elementary, Oak Grove Elementary, Fayette Middle, Minter Elementary, Cleveland Elementary and Whitewater High on improvements such as flooring, roofing and painting as part of the 10-year capital improvement plan.

The board stipulated that no Maintenance & Operation money will be used.

The projects are expected to begin next spring or summer.

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