3 months ago
Voters in Peach County said they want to raise money for the school system using a one penny sales tax, also called an Education Local Option Sales Tax. School officials hope to raise about $25 million, over five years.
"With 1,100 students at Peach County High, it's our intention to expand the dining room," said C.B. Mathis, Assistant Superintendent for Operations with Peach County.
He says Peach County needs to break down barriers, including a wall in the the high school's cafeteria. He says they need more room and better equipment.
With the new penny sales tax, he says they'll overhaul the cafeteria, from the cooking appliances (they were installed in 1972), to where the kids line up to pay. But before they improve where the kids hand over their cash, they'll even the score with their lenders.
The first thing the school system will do before they take on any projects is eliminate their debt. Right now, they owe $12 million.
"Then with the board's approval, we will take each project in its priority order," said Mathis.
Other projects include replacing the high school's 37-year-old air conditioning units, installing white boards and smart boards in the classrooms, installing security cameras and replacing the roofs at several schools.
They'll put in eight tennis courts at the high school which means the tennis team can quit playing all their games away.
"It makes a climate conducive to learning. If you have a good environment, the kids do a lot better," said Mathis.
The county's current education penny tax will run out in July. The new penny tax will pick up when that one ends.
