GAINESVILLE — The crowd was small at the Hall County School District's first public meeting on an upcoming E-SPLOST vote, but school officials said they were neither surprised nor discouraged at the turnout.
School system spokesman Gordon Higgins said the goal of the meeting at Chestatee High School - and six other meetings in the future - is to make sure voters understand the basics of the penny sales tax for education.
"We didn't know what to expect in terms of turnout because any time you have public meetings regarding a forum like this, it's hard to gauge the impact it may have or participation," said Higgins.
"This is an issue that's been in Hall County since 1997 and I think the fact that it's not a new tax, but a continuation of a tax, I'm not that surprised that the audience was the size it was.
Some 20 people gathered in the auditorium at CHS, most of those educators.
Ron House was among the educators who spoke up about the sales tax extension, but he said he attended the meeting in the role of a property owner. He said he prefers E-SPLOST to a bond referendum.
“You know, we’re able to pay for things as we build. We’re not having to take on debt,” said House. “Every dollar that we’re able to use out of the E-SPLOST is one less dollar that we have to raise through property taxes.”
If the education tax is okayed by voters on November 3, it would stay in place for five years and raise no more than $195 million. The monies would be divided among the Hall County, City of Gainesville and City of Buford school districts.
Hall County is estimating that E-SPLOST V would generate between $110 and $140 million in revenue for county schools. Most of that money is needed for additional classroom space in the school district, as well as renovation of existing facilities.
Higgins noted that while those expenditure projections are in place, there are no projects that are “set in stone” right now.
“All this is just discussion…at this point, there is not a plan in place to build a middle school [in south Hall, for example], even though that’s where all the growth is right now,” said Higgins.
He said growth is also anticipated in the Ga. Highway 365 corridor, so school officials are closely monitoring that part of the county for possible expansion.
Higgins said if interested taxpayers are unable to attend any of the scheduled public meetings, they can always submit questions or ideas via email at [email protected].
UPCOMING PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETINGS
Wednesday, September 30 West Hall at WHHS Cafeteria beginning at 4:15 p.m.
Thursday, October 1 Johnson at JHS Performing Arts Center beginning at 4:30 p.m.
Monday, October 5 East Hall at EHHS Cafeteria beginning at 4:15 p.m.
Tuesday, October 6 North Hall at NHHS Media Center beginning at 4:15 p.m.
Wednesday, October 7 Flowery Branch at FBHS Theatre beginning at 4:30 p.m.
Monday, October 19 Hall County Schools District Office beginning at 6:00 p.m.
