DeKalb school officials offer thanks, next steps, on E-SPLOST

DeKalb County School District officials assembled this morning at Cross Keys High School to discuss next steps after the educational special purpose local option sales tax extension passed with record approval.

Superintendent Steve Green’s voice was full of jubilation with the news.

Flanked by about 300 students, parents and district staff, Green told how a majority of the money would be used to alleviate crowding at schools like Cross Keys, where some students take classes exclusively in trailers on the property. Meetings have been ongoing with parents and other community “stakeholders” to decide on projects the expected $500 million to be reaped from the tax extension would fund.

“Our march forward will continue,” he said. “We will do it with you.”

Parent Allyson Gevertz, who worked with the district on the E-SPLOST, said the 71 percent approval by voters Tuesday night sent an “undeniable” message that the community was willing to back Green and the school board.

Conflict surfaced in the process after several people — most notably state Sen. Fran Millar, R-Dunwoody — questioned the lack of specificity in the resolution for the sales-tax extension, saying no list of projects was included and that could lead to legal challenges.

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