Savannah-Chatham schools push E‑SPLOST renewal for new West Chatham high school; Chamber publicly endorses

The Savannah‑Chatham County Public School System announced a special election March 18 on a proposed continuation of a 1% education sales tax (E‑SPLOST) to pay for school capital projects, safety and security improvements and technology upgrades, Superintendent Dr. Watts said. The district is proposing projects that include a new high school and a K–8 complex in West Chatham County and reconstruction of the district’s STEM Academy.

Why it matters: The renewal would fund building and renovation work the district says is needed to relieve overcrowding and update failing systems such as HVAC, and the district estimates the program will generate about $705 million in collections if approved, Dr. Watts said. The tax is a continuation of an existing E‑SPLOST first approved by voters in 2006; it is a sales tax, not a property tax, and the district says a substantial share of the revenue comes from visitors to the county.

Dr. Watts said early voting for the March 18 special election is open “through this Friday,” and the district is urging residents to use early voting when possible. She told reporters the E‑SPLOST renewal would allow funding for “improving technology in our schools, for safety enhancements, for renovations, for new construction, for roofs, for failing systems such as our HVAC systems.”

Bert Brantley, president and CEO of the Savannah Area Chamber, told the board the chamber’s membership and board reviewed the district’s project list and publicly voted to support the renewal. Brantley said the chamber supports the plan because school facilities and workforce preparation are important to local employers; he also noted the district’s visitation economy contributes to the tax base and that the levy takes pressure off property owners.

Economic and local‑contract impacts: Dr. Watts said the district has awarded more than $400 million in local contracts under prior E‑SPLOST programs and that roughly 40% of E‑SPLOST revenue is borne by tourism spending, not property taxes. The district also said the renewal would extend technology and safety improvements to charter schools that participate in district programs.

What’s not decided: The referendum itself must be approved by voters on March 18; the district’s planning documents identify a prioritization process for projects and the timeline for individual projects will depend on voter approval and subsequent planning and procurement steps.

Community response and next steps: Brantley said the chamber circulated a public endorsement and is encouraging members to vote. The district reiterated that E‑SPLOST funds are restricted to capital, safety and security projects, not general operating expenses.

Ending: The superintendent invited residents to the district website for details on projects and voting information and asked voters to participate in the March special election.