The Lake Oconee News had an opportunity to sit down with the Chairman of the Greene County Board of Education Mike Lynch as a follow-up to the editorial published last week.
Lynch answered a few questions for the voters going to the polls this week in an effort to address the important SPLOST vote and a new school, and the impact it will have for the area, teachers, students and staff and county schools.
What is an ESLOST and how will a favorable vote impact the community?
The ESPLOST is a one percent sales tax that can be used for qualifying school projects. All but four of 188 school districts in the state have one. We are fortunate to be near I-20 and the lake with all the voters in this area. It is estimated that 65-plus percent of the sales tax revenue comes from visitors to our area. The projects tend to be non-discretionary, so they need to be funded.
What happens if the ESPLOST is not passed?
Simply, if there is no ESPLOST, key projects will need to be funded by increasing property taxes.
Why is the ESPLOST decision included in the same resolution as the one seeking approval for bonds to float debt to partially fund the new school on Meadow Crest Road?
As we have one more year left of the present ESPLOST funding, this vote for ESPLOST in this election can be put off for next year’s election. However, it is important to know now if there will be an ESPLOST when deciding to proceed with constructing the new school. Launching the new school without an ESPLOST would be a difficult decision for the community as a whole. It was decided that the two resolutions would be combined.
Why the new school and what happens if it is not approved?
The new elementary school for grades Pre-K through 5 is the next and final step of the Greene County School System’s strategic plan. If it is not approved, the community and students will be left with a facility structure that does not meet our educational needs. We essentially would be left with continuing Pre-K in Greensboro, grades K-3 seven miles away in Union Point, and grades 4-5 combined with grades 6-8 at Carson Middle School. It is important to note that this is contrary to other well-performing schools in the state having Pre-K through 5 in one location.
Our strategic plan most importantly centers on achieving basic reading/writing and math skills by both the 3rd and 5th grades. This is important in moving students up to the next grade levels in middle and high school and not just promoting students to the next school level. Mastery of the basics is key here for all students. Retaining the present school is not suitable for our students to complement this plan. And, if passed, the new school would be the first new facility in over 20 years for our traditional school system.
The school board says a new school is needed through its strategic plan identification. What gives the community confidence in moving ahead with a new school?
We have been happy to report that much progress has been made and gives us great expectations. Our college and career academy on the vocational side has turned out work-ready young adults excited to join their professions. On the college prep side, much work has been done to promote our winning advanced placement courses and through in-school and after-school tutoring sessions to keep our students on track. Many of our graduates have obtained admissions into leading schools throughout the state and continue to inspire students to achieve their goals.
Real progress has been made in our primary school’s educational efforts in proficiencies with math and reading and better preparing them for middle school. For example, our third graders significantly improved their state-mandated test scores for basic literacy and math skills this past Spring, compared with scores prior to the pandemic. So much so that they surpassed all state and regional third graders in this regard. We are very proud of our students for their accomplishments and feel this is a true reflection of the improvements made thus far. We expect to exceed and accelerate this progress at the new school and are confident of the continuing success they will have moving up through the middle and high school.
What are the intentions of the school board in funding the new elementary school?
The school board has been putting funds aside to help fund the new school. We have been good financial stewards for the community in doing this and preplanning. To date, about $16 million has been set aside to fund the new school. With contributing state funding coming, roughly 40 percent of the new school costs will already be accounted for.
We have analyzed expected ESPLOST revenue and other project requirements. We have concluded that there are remaining funds left in the earlier ESPLOST to cover the service on the debt that will fund the balance of the new school. Thus, we expect NO impact on local property taxes if this would pass. We do not have any plans or intentions of issuing more debt than is required for the new school.
Will passing the referendum help teachers and staff?
Good question. Greene County teachers and staff will all benefit the referendum! They know it will provide them with a new facility with state-of-the-art features. This is very important in our ongoing effort to attract and retain the very best teachers and supporting staff for our students. It will alleviate crowded and substandard conditions with temporary facilities going away at Union Point and Carson Middle. Its location will be a better commute and will improve recruiting. Teachers play an important role in our children’s lives and their instructional needs need to be supported.