GAINESVILLE — Gainesville City School Board members started the discussion Monday night on which projects would be on their wish list for an upcoming education SPLOST referendum.
E-SPLOST V will go before voters in November, and if approved, proceeds would go to the school systems in Hall County, Gainesville and Buford.
As it stands now, the next penny sales tax referendum would generate an estimated $185 million; Gainesville's proposed share would be almost $30.4 million.
The bulk of Gainesville's potential E-SPLOST V distribution - $16.5 million - would be used to build a new elementary school in the Mundy Mill Road area. But, school officials know they need money for additional classroom space at other elementary schools in the district.
"Centennial and Enota is where those classrooms are needed," said Superintendent Wanda Creel. "Also we know that a cafeteria is needed...at Centennial."
Creel also pointed out that Gainesville High School needs an upgrade to its track, so that the school system can host events.
"In order to be able to meet the requirements for holding track meets, we currently only have six lanes on the track and we would have to have eight lanes," said Creel.
Chief Financial Officer Chris Griner is in his first year with Gainesville City Schools and said the initial project list is an overall high-priority list for the school system.
"Keep in mind this project list was prepared over the five-year planning process that was done," said Griner, referencing meetings for the school system's Five Year Facility Plan.
Griner said he still wants to visit every school in the district to discuss what projects are needed. School board members said they'd like to be present for those meetings, as well.
