Board reviews ESPLOST 6 capital plan: $132 million projected, groundbreakings planned; easement and parking questions raised

Dr. Barr, the district operations presenter, gave the Newton County Board of Education an overview of the district's capital plan funded largely by the education special purpose local option sales tax (ESPLOST) 6. Collections for ESPLOST 6 began Jan. 1, 2025, and the district projects revenues will exceed $132,000,000 over the five-year collection period ending Dec. 31, 2029.

Dr. Barr said ESPLOST funds can only be used for capital expenditures such as building improvements, furniture, technology, and buses, and cannot be used for day-to-day operations or salaries. "These funds cannot be used for day to day operational expenses and salaries," Dr. Barr told the board.

Planned uses presented for ESPLOST 6 include security entryways at 11 schools, renovations or modifications at seven schools (roofing, flooring, painting and similar projects), athletic facility construction at all high schools together with concession and restroom additions at middle schools, technology upgrades including cabling and fiber, replacement of furniture and band instruments, and the purchase of school buses and support vehicles. Dr. Barr also summarized completed ESPLOST 5 projects, including the new Eastside High School, renovations for the STEM academy and replacement of 98 buses.

Timeline and construction details: Dr. Barr reported that the contractor began issuing contracts after the board approved a guaranteed maximum price in December, and that, once permits are obtained, mobilization will begin within weeks. Groundbreaking ceremonies are scheduled for the three high schools: Alcovy High School on Feb. 25, Eastside High School on Feb. 26 and Newton High School on Feb. 27, each at 4 p.m. at the respective athletic field.

Board members asked questions about site specifics and community impacts. One board member raised concerns about adequate parking at athletic fields and noted past projects had occasionally omitted sufficient parking; Dr. Barr said additional parking is included in some plans and noted the district will continue to refine parking and circulation plans. Board members also asked about an easement along Ramway near Newton High School and whether property use would be affected. Dr. Barr said a broad, perpetual easement exists on both sides of Ramway that grants access for construction phases and that it does not grant authority to block the roadway for parking. "They should not. That was part of our discussion today is that, the parking should not interfere or block the roadway," Dr. Barr said.

Nut graf: ESPLOST 6 is the district's primary capital funding source for the next five years; projects will begin quickly after permitting and contracting steps, and the board sought clarity on construction impacts and long-term public access along adjacent roadways.

Policy and funding context: During "other matters," Board member Trey Bailey reiterated that ESPLOST funds are capital-only and cannot be used to offset potential revenue losses tied to pending state legislation. Bailey warned that House Bill 581 (the Save Our Homes Act, referenced by board members) would reduce property tax revenue available for operations and that school districts do not have the same authority as county governments to add a penny sales tax to replace lost operational revenue. "East Bluffs funds cannot be used for operational costs. That would include payroll and benefits, which make up I think it's 86%, 87% of our total budget," Bailey said, urging public awareness of the distinction between capital funds and operational revenue.

Ending: District staff said project trackers and regular progress reports will be posted to the district website to support transparency. The board did not take a final capital-authorization vote at the work session; Dr. Barr said a guaranteed maximum price for East Newton Elementary renovations will be presented for board approval at the February meeting.