Voters approve $3.2 billion worth of educational funding

By Ernie Suggs and D. Aileen Dodd

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Over the next five years, a projected $3.2 billion will flow into metro Atlanta schools after voters Tuesday approved an extension of a penny sales taxes to fund school construction.

Schools in Atlanta, Buford and Decatur, as well as Cherokee, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett and Henry counties will receive funding.

Throughout metro Atlanta, the SPLOST passed despite a struggling economy, heated opposition from tax weary residents and sagging public confidence in several school systems recently rocked by scandal.

Voters essentially gave DeKalb County schools, where the former superintendent is facing fraud charges related to previous SPLOST money, $475 million for school construction, including $144 million to replace seven elementary schools.

Atlanta Public Schools, which is in the midst of one of the nation's biggest ever test cheating scandals, could raise $513 million. Two new schools in Buckhead and a new middle school in Midtown are among the projects the 1-cent tax would fund.

The mistakes of the of adults and administrators should not harm students, said Anthony “A.J.” Joiner, an entrepreneur and resident of the Edgewood Park/Little 5 Points area of Atlanta.

“Although the cheating scandal was a black eye for the Atlanta Public Schools, the kids still need the best facilities,” Joiner said. “It's our responsibility, in my opinion, to look at the bigger picture. We have to keep the issues separate and keep what's best for the kids in mind. That is why I voted yes.”

Brenda Muhammad, chair of the APS board, breathed a sigh of relief as results tilted toward passage in Fulton County and Atlanta Tuesday night.

"This means that we will be able to continue to do the work. We have the need, especially on the Northside, where we are busting at the seams with the attendance," she said.

Tuesday's vote means voters have yet to turn back a sales tax devoted to education. Proponents, particularly school officials and advocacy groups, sold the tax as way to get needed construction money to schools without raising property taxes.

.

Since the SPLOST is a five-year extension of a sales tax, the burden is spread out among shoppers, including those who come into a community to spend money. During the 15-year life of SPLOST, dozens of schools have been built and hundreds more have received infrastructure upgrades in the districts.

"I'm pleased that the voters turned out to support education," said Fulton Schools Superintendent Robert Avossa. Fulton would use $912 million in SPLOST funding to improve access to technology for students and renovate schools. "I think it sends a clear message that education is a top priority for the region and that people understand the integral connection between high quality schools and economic development."

Applause rang out at the Gwinnett County Schools Instructional Support Center as the vote totals showed the SPLOST ahead with 90 percent of precincts counted. In Gwinnett, SPLOST would bring in $859 million to Gwinnett Schools for improvements and $17.1 million to Buford City Schools.

“I think Thanksgiving has come early,” said Gwinnett Schools Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks. H

Holding his applause was Steen Kirby, political director of the High School Democrats of Georgia and the local precinct captain for Gwinnett County Democratic Party. He couldn’t vote for the SPLOST, but encouraged his parents to vote no.

“The school system has a lot of waste and abuse and I question some of the proposed spending," said Kirby, 15, who has been home schooled all of his life. "Building computer labs is not the best way to spend our money.”