Whitfield school officials continue financial planning [The Daily Citizen, Dalton, Ga.]

Jan. 07--Whitfield County voters knocked down a proposed Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) two months ago, but local school officials have said the timing may be right for another referendum this year.

Whitfield Board of Education Chairman Louis Fordham said plans are for board members to continue talks about paying down debt and beginning new projects for the school system with proceeds from a 1 percent education SPLOST that could run up to five years.

The board meets Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the central office at 1306 S. Thornton Ave. in Dalton.

The board would need to coordinate with Dalton Board of Education members on a date for the referendum. Officials have discussed July 31, 2012, Nov. 6, 2012, and March 12, 2013.

Both boards had considered placing an ESPLOST referendum on the November 2011 ballot but didn't after deciding the economic climate made the tax unlikely to pass.

Voters soundly defeated Whitfield County's proposed 1 percent sales tax in November, 4,898 to 3,207.

Whitfield school officials had planned to use part of the proceeds to pay off an estimated $35.7 million owed on previously approved projects, including Coahulla Creek High School, a new Eastbrook Middle School and renovations to several other schools. Dalton Public Schools officials must also pay back about $2.5 million on money they spent for renovations.

Each school system also has a long list of renovations and improvements they'd like to accomplish, but they've said those lists may need to be revised and prioritized again. Dalton officials have said funds for renovating or building a new Morris Innovative High School as well as constructing a multipurpose facility at Dalton Middle School will likely be high on the list.

Fordham said board members will discuss in January and February when and if to put an ESPLOST on the ballot and will also begin discussions about the school system's budget for day-to-day operations.

___

(c)2012 The Daily Citizen (Dalton, Ga.)

Visit The Daily Citizen (Dalton, Ga.) at daltondailycitizen.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services