Cherokee County voters will be asked Nov. 8 to approve a five-year continuation of the 1-percent, Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax – the fourth renewal since the Ed-SPLOST was first approved in 1997.
The Cherokee County School Board last week called for the referendum on the school tax as it approved a budget for 2016-17.
The document, which includes a $359 million day-to-day operating budget, reduces class size by allowing the hiring of 68 teachers to cope with the district’s growth. It also improves student services and further restores reserves while maintaining the millage rate of 19.45 mills, school officials said.
If voters approve, the Ed-SPLOST would continue to fund construction, renovations, repairs, technology, land acquisition, school buses and retiring bond debt for another five years. Planned projects include classroom additions at Woodstock and Mill Creek middle schools and additional gym and multi-use space at Woodstock High School.
The current Ed-SPLOST expires in December 2017, and its successor would take effect Jan. 1, 2018.
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