Dear editor:
This November, we have so much to be thankful for here at the Greene County School System, and I’d like to start by thanking our community for passing the ESPLOST education 1% sales tax renewal last week. This was an important vote for our schools, our students, our families, and our local community.
Thank you to all who participated in the democratic process and came out to vote.ESPLOST funding will continue to help us with a variety of critical projects such as roofing and HVAC repairs, purchases of new school buses and the latest technology for our students, paying off LOA facilities, and construction of the new Greene County Elementary School building.
This is not a new tax, but rather a continuation of the 1% ESPLOST tax that has funded many capital improvement projects in our schools over the last 4 years. We have delivered upon our SPLOST promises during the previous ESPLOST programs, and you can expect us to continue to be good stewards of your tax dollars in the years ahead.
The best part of the deal is that because 65% of ESPLOST dollars actually come from visitors to our community rather than from county residents’ pockets, we get the biggest bang for our buck with this measure. Thank you for your support!
As Greene County continues to grow, we watch all the potential developments moving into our area so that we can forecast and anticipate student needs. The ESPLOST plans for our schools are forward-thinking, are focused on the future, and will provide an excellent return on investment for the families of Greene County. ESPLOST funding impacts every school in our district in a positive way, and that means current and future students and staff members will benefit thanks to your confidence in our schools and your support of our community.
We will continue to build your trust in our educational system as we strengthen our schools, both in our educational programs and our learning environment. Once again, thank you for this investment in our children’s future, and we look forward to this opportunity to continue to provide exceptional services and facilities for our children, jobs for local citizens, and support for local businesses.
Dr. Chris Houston Superintendent, Greene County School System