Press Release

Board Unanimously Supports
Asking Public To Renew SPLOST

The Board of Education met Jan. 24, 2008 to discuss the need to ask Cobb County voters to approve an extension of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax that will expire on Dec. 31, 2008. The first two five-year sales taxes have resulted in 21 new schools, more than 2,000 new classrooms, a total refreshment of school technology including a computer for every teacher, access controls and security cameras for school buildings, new roofs, parking lots, electrical systems, air conditioning units, and hundreds of other projects.

Superintendent Fred Sanderson opened the discussion by reviewing the Board’s steps in 2003 when it put forth the referendum for SPLOST II. He also shared with the Board acceptable uses for SPLOST dollars and explained how the current educational environment in Cobb County differs from the environment in 2003. Sanderson pointed out that a 2007 demographic study commissioned by the school system shows enrollment growth slowing throughout the county. That means the District’s future capital expenditures will be directed less toward constructing new schools and more toward enhancing existing school facilities.

He also noted that more than one third (36 percent) of the District’s 115 schools are more than 40 years old and have serious structural and maintenance issues. A panel of local businesspeople appointed by the school board, the Facilities & Technology Review Committee, is currently surveying all of the District’s schools to help determine specific capital needs.

Sanderson noted that changes in educational funding have created less flexibility for the District to use its operating budget to pay for maintenance and facility improvements, and that a one-cent sales tax is the most sensible means for a school system to address these needs without incurring long-term debt for taxpayers. Cobb County used $115 million in SPLOST revenue to completely retire all long-term debt from prior bond issues and is now completely free of long-term debt and interest payments.

After hearing background on SPLOST and discussing each board member’s own priorities, the Board unanimously agreed that numerous facility, maintenance, and technology needs exist throughout the school system and that SPLOST is the best means of generating revenue to address those needs. SPLOST incurs no debt and a large portion of sales tax revenue is contributed by non-residents of Cobb County.

“There is no question in my mind that SPLOST is the most cost-efficient and fair taxing vehicle for funding public education,” said Board member Lindsey Tippins. “I’m very much in favor of SPLOST. You don’t have any long-term debt, no interest . . . on a local level a one-percent sales tax just makes a lot of sense.”

Each board member then gave verbal support to developing a comprehensive plan detailing the District’s capital needs, and then asking voters in the fall of 2008 to extend the sales tax. Board Chair Betty Gray indicated September would be the most likely month to hold a referendum on the extension of the sales tax.

The school board will hear more detailed reports on facility and academic needs over the next few months before officially approving a SPLOST facility plan and voting for a resolution establishing a SPLOST referendum. Marietta City Schools would also have to endorse the resolution before Cobb could proceed with a SPLOST referendum.

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