Breaking: Georgia judge resigns after Florida strip club arrest
Education
Education

Cobb County school officials grateful for sales tax vote

Construction workers work at the construction site of Brumby Elementary School in Marietta. The construction is being funded through money from a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. Cobb County voters overwhelmingly approved an extension of the tax Tuesday. (HENRY TAYLOR / HENRY.TAYLOR@AJC.COM)
Construction workers work at the construction site of Brumby Elementary School in Marietta. The construction is being funded through money from a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. Cobb County voters overwhelmingly approved an extension of the tax Tuesday. (HENRY TAYLOR / HENRY.TAYLOR@AJC.COM)
By
March 22, 2017

Cobb County School District officials thanked voters for overwhelmingly passing a referendum Tuesday to continue a 1 percent sales tax that will help fund hundreds of new classrooms, new school buildings and other projects.

Unofficial results for the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax showed the referendum passed by nearly a 3-to-1 ratio. Voter turnout was low, at less than 8 percent.

“I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the voters of Cobb County for their continued support of our school district,” said Superintendent Chris Ragsdale. “SPLOST V will provide needed resources to support our schools and staff in reaching our goal of student success.”

A portion of the tax will also fund projects in the Marietta school district.

To read more about the vote and what the money will pay for, click here.

MORE: Final results for Stonecrest, South Fulton and other metro Atlanta special elections

About the Author

Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He is the newsroom's education editor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.

Follow Eric Stirgus on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

HBCUs nationally will get $438 million, according to the UNCF, previously known as the United Negro College Fund. Georgia has 10 historically Black colleges and universities. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Credit: Daniel Varnado/For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta HBCUs win millions from White House — but it could be at others’ expense

The additional allocation from the Trump administration will bring federal HBCU funding to a total of more than $1.34 billion in fiscal year 2025.

Georgia’s public universities hit record high for graduates

The University System of Georgia is also expected to set another record for enrollment when numbers are announced in November.

State gives cash-strapped Georgia school system ‘unprecedented’ $1.45M advance

Dublin City Schools is trying to come up with millions of dollars to cover unpaid state health benefits and cover a looming budget deficit.

The Latest

Georgia Tech graduates celebrate during spring commencement in May, and the school's growing enrollment helped contribute to the University System of Georgia recording record highs for degrees conferred this fiscal year. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Georgia’s public universities hit record high for graduates

State gives cash-strapped Georgia school system ‘unprecedented’ $1.45M advance

DeKalb Schools chief resigns after indictment on financial crime charges

Featured

Corbin Spencer, right, field director of New Georgia Project and volunteer Rodney King, left, help Rueke Uyunwa register to vote. The influential group is shutting down after more than a decade. (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2017)

Credit: Hyosub Shin

EXCLUSIVE

New Georgia Project shuts down, ending a decade of political influence in state

Founded in 2013, the organization was credited with registering tens of thousands of left-leaning voters who helped turn Georgia into a political battleground.

In TV ad blitz, ICE makes a play for Atlanta police officers

ICE spent more money on its recruitment campaign in Atlanta this month than in any other city.

Street vendors fear being sidelined by Atlanta’s World Cup permit freeze

Permits for street vendors and community gatherings are on pause downtown during FIFA activities under Mayor Dickens’ executive order issued last month.