Nearly 64 percent of Bartow County voters who went to the polls during the July 20 primary voted to extend the 1-percent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for Bartow County and Cartersville City Schools.
"We really appreciate what we got from our community," Superintendent Howard Hinesley said Thursday. "We recognize these are difficult economic times, and we were pleased with the support we got. The community knows we've been spending [SPLOST] money efficiently and effectively, and that's what we plan to do."
The new SPLOST will begin in July 2012 and last for five years; the current SPLOST, also five years long, took effect in July 2007. "That gives us a chance to start doing some significant planning early," Hinesley added.
Bartow County Schools will get the lion's share of the SPLOST revenue, as it has a larger student population than Cartersville Schools; the split is based on the districts' full-time equivalent counts.
Paying off bond debt on its high school will be one objective for Cartersville under the SPLOST extension. District officials also hope to make significant improvements to school sites, such as roof and HVAC system replacement and repairs, upgrades to Cartersville High's marching band facility and revamping of the traffic pattern around Cartersville Primary and Elementary to relieve traffic congestion on Old Mill Road.
Technology would be upgraded at all four city schools using SPLOST funds, while aging school classroom furniture also would see replacement. In addition, a fine arts facility at Cartersville Middle is slated to see construction under a new SPLOST; Hinesley in a previous interview said the design work for such a center will be completed this year.
Board members tonight also will consider approving clarification changes in three district policies. The changes are a part of officials' efforts to simplify the district's policy handbook.
The board will meet at 6 p.m. in the central office boardroom.