Decatur’s school board voted unanimously (5-0) to ask the city commission to put an $82.47 million General Obligation Bond referendum on the ballot in November. The money would help pay for school construction projects over the next five years, though it won’t pay for everything.
For example, it’s projected that the total City Schools Decatur capital budget without annexation and with a low-growth scenario would be $94.6 million, and $127 million with a no annexation/high growth scenario. The vote came after a two-hour debate and, in a rare move, the board went against the recommendation of Superintendent Phyllis Edwards, who proposed a $75 million bond.
“We can go in [to the commission asking for] $82 million,” she told the board, “but we won’t come out with $82 million.”
If an $82 million bond is ultimately approved by voters, the millage increase would be 4.84 by 2017, meaning the additional tax on a $300,000 home would be $726.51, on a $500,000 home $1,210.86 and on a $700,000 home $1,695.20.
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