Superintendents hope for ‘yes’ vote
It was like a tag-team wrestling match, except there was only one team. The three school superintendents in Jackson County tagged in and out at the monthly breakfast of the Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce last Wednesday to promote a “yes” vote in next Tuesday’s referendum on expanding the special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) for education.
Dr. Shannon Adams, Jackson County; Dr. John Jackson, Jefferson; and Dr. James E. “Mac” McCoy, Commerce could not officially advocate a “yes” vote, but their comments were designed to make sure chamber members understood their perspective on the necessity of ensuring some $100 million in capital revenue over the next five years.
Pepe Cummings, chamber president, was not so restrained. In introducing the program, Cummings noted that the chamber’s board of directors has endorsed the passage of the referendum.
“The local option sales tax program the state of Georgia has implemented, whether the SPLOST or education SPLOST is the best and most powerful tool available to communities to invest in themselves and do the right thing,” Cummings said. “You need to go vote yes on Sept. 19.”
For the next 25 minutes, the school CEOs presented their case for such a vote. They addressed growth pressures, current debt and construction projects, how the current SPLOST 2 funds are being spent, and the general plans for spending SPLOST 3 money if the voters continue the tax.
All three school systems have general obligation bonds to be retired from current projects; all envision using part of their sales tax proceeds to pay off or help pay off those bonds.
It is estimated that over the next five years, the one-percent tax will generate $100 million, of which $63 million would go to the county school system, $14.6 million to Commerce and $22.3 million to Commerce under a formula based on enrollment.
With that money, said Adams, Jackson County plans to build another elementary school, add a two-story classroom building at North Jackson Elementary School, add 15 rooms to East Jackson Middle School, build an elementary school on Gum Springs Church Road, complete any renovations or repairs that are needed in any school facilities, purchase computer equipment, pay on some of the existing bond debt and acquire land for more schools.
“Particularly if you’re looking at a high school site or a site to locate more than one school, the issue of finding 150-plus acres in Jackson County is getting more difficult, particularly finding land school systems can afford to buy,” he said.
Adams noted that the system is engaged in nearly $88 million in projects that were to be covered by its 2005 $70 million bond issue. That means that SPLOST money will be used to make up that shortfall, in addition to future projects. He also pointed out that of those projects, the school system got only $5 million in state capital funds, all for the new East Jackson Comprehensive High School.
In Commerce, said McCoy, the plan is for a new high school.
“We plan to build a new high school on our existing school site, which will be an interesting event,” he said, drawing some knowing chuckles. “Included in that is a performing arts center or auditorium, a gymnasium, and track and the acquisition of property around the schools.”
Commerce voters will be asked, in addition to the SPLOST question, to approve a $20 million bond issue to cover the construction projects, with the SPLOST revenue used to retire the debt. Since the system’s share of SPLOST is less than the estimated cost of the project, it is likely that revenue from subsequent SPLOSTs will also be required to retire the bonds.
Jackson noted that passage of the SPLOST extension would fund 15-classroom additions to Jefferson’s elementary and high schools, construction of a performing arts center, a baseball-softball field house and the purchase of buses, books, furnishings, computers - and debt retirement.
“If the SPLOST is not renewed, the local taxpayers will see a 74-percent increase in bond payments,” he warned. “The current rate is 3.3; it would move to at least 5.75 mills.”
GROWTH PRESSURE
All of the superintendents made it clear that growth in enrollment is driving the construction projects - and the need for SPLOST funds.
Adams pointed out that during the five years of SPLOST 2, enrollment in the county school system is up almost 1,300 students; Jackson reported growth in Jefferson of 62.3 percent over the past six years, and McCoy noted that Commerce’s enrollment is up 12.8 percent for the same period.
Jackson brought up the idea that through SPLOST, out-of-district shoppers help pick up much of the cost.
“Let me point out that with the interstate running through Jackson County, a significant amount of these funds come from people traveling through Jackson County. They shop in Jackson County but don’t live in Jackson County,” he said. “Which is fine, because when I go to Clarke County to spend my money, they get my SPLOST taxes, so I have no problem with that.”
McCoy stressed that passage of the referendum is not a tax increase.
“This is a continuation of what is already in place,” he said, “so, no, this is not an additional sales tax.”

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