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Carroll County board lays instructional calendars and readies SPLOST 7 outreach ahead of March 18 referendum
Summary
The board agreed to lay two years of instructional calendars on the table for additional stakeholder review and heard staff outline outreach and early‑voting timing for the SPLOST 7 referendum set for March 18.
Carroll County Schools staff asked the board on Jan. 13 to lay on the table two instructional calendars — the previously approved 2025–26 calendar and a draft 2026–27 calendar — so a dynamic stakeholder team can review and return recommendations at future meetings. The board agreed to defer final action until the February meeting when discussion (and possible action) will resume.
Scott Cowart, who led the stakeholder engagement segment, said the district typically seeks two years of calendars to help families and community groups plan ahead. Cowart said the district will form a “dynamic team” including educators, district office staff, teachers, students, parents and other stakeholders to review the draft and seek broader community input over two meetings.
Staff also briefed the board on the upcoming SPLOST 7 (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) referendum scheduled for March 18. Cowart said early voting is expected to begin in mid‑February and staff are beginning community meetings and distribution of flyers and yard signs prepared by the Friends of Education committee. Staff told the board they anticipate providing final printed materials the week of the Jan. 13 meeting.
Board members asked about what board members may do when the district is educating the public about the referendum. District staff clarified two distinctions: when board members act in an official capacity on behalf of the board, they may only educate (distribute factual information) and may not advocate for a yes vote; when acting as private citizens, board members may advocate individually.
No formal votes were taken on calendars or the SPLOST materials at the work session; staff asked that the calendars be laid on the table until the February regular meeting and that outreach continue in preparation for March 18.
