Fayette County voters will decide on Tuesday whether or not the sales tax should be increased by one cent to finance a $90 million school construction and improvement package. Proponents of the special local option sales tax (SPLOST), like Janet Smola, who co-chairs the Fayette Citizens for Continued Excellence in Education, claim the tax and $50 million bond package is financially sound and is the best course of action for the school board to take, as it contends with a growth rate of 1,000 students a year.

Opponents claim the tax will fuel population density in the county, cause a hardship for seniors on fixed incomes and allow the school board to basically write a blank check.

The tax will stay in place for five years, or until revenues generated by the tax reach the $90 million mark. The bond sale will be paid back from the money raised by the SPLOST, and according to Dr. John DeCotis, Fayette County School Superintendent, allow proposed projects at all schools in the county to start simultaneously.

Passage of the tax, which would up the retail sales tax from 5 to 6 percent, will provide the funds necessary to house and educate 5,000 more students anticipated in the school system over the next five years.

The funds will provide the money needed to buy property to build two 800-student capacity elementary schools, one 1,200 student capacity middle school, and one 1,800 student capacity high school.

One of 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. 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 project proposals, major improvements are planned for all elementary school playgrounds and there will be electrical upgrades at Brooks, East Fayette, Fayetteville, Huddleston, Oak Grove, Peachtree City, North Fayette and Tyrone elementary schools. This would allow for installation of the upgraded technology, including additional computers, over a five year span at these facilities. New lighting and energy management systems are included in the proposal.

Sandy Creek High School would get an auditorium if the SPLOST passes, along with 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, visitors' concession stands and a press box. McIntosh High School will get a new physical education facility and major improvements to the existing stadium.

DeCotis and the board has emphasized from the beginning of the SPLOST discussion that general operating funds can no longer be used to finance construction.

Every $50,000 trailer that has to be purchased, results in a decrease in funds for instruction. The district now has 98 trailer classrooms in place and the board admits that failure of the SPLOST would most likely result in more trailers and possibly double sessions or year round school.

The polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Voters who do not know their precincts should call the Carolyn Combs, county election manager at 770-460-5730 Ext. 408 for the correct location.

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