$1 billion for Gwinnett schools on Tuesday ballot

Gwinnett County residents have a $1 billion decision to make Tuesday.

Do they to vote to continue a 1 percent sales tax that would bring in an estimated $950 million over five years to pay for school improvement projects in the Gwinnett and Buford school districts?

Or do they vote against it, which would be the first time Gwinnett residents have rejected such a plan?

Gwinnett officials want to use the money to build four new schools, make additions to nine schools, and pay for a host of technology upgrades, along with roofing, painting and carpeting in other schools. The Buford school district would get an estimated $22 million.

The sales tax extension is being supported by Gwinnett’s chamber of commerce. Local tea party leaders have been its biggest critics.

Gwinnett, the state’s largest school district, has built five new schools and funded dozens of school improvements through its current Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, which expires in June 2017. Gwinnett spent an additional $6 million through change orders.

The bulk of the current work is being done in the north and western parts of the county.