Forsyth County Schools outlines SPLOST 7 projects, emphasizes it is a renewal not a new tax

Forsyth County Schools staff briefed the board on Oct. 14 about a proposed continuation of the education special-purpose local-option sales tax (commonly called SPLOST), saying the measure would extend a penny sales tax for capital projects and is not a new tax.

"It is not a new tax," presenter Matt Wark said, stressing the proposal would be a continuation of prior ESPLOST referenda. He and Dr. Michelle Dugan told the board that SPLOST funds cannot be used for staff salaries or routine operating expenses and that the education penny is not shared with the county for noneducation projects.

Presenters described a prioritized three-tier project list (red, blue, gold). Red-priority items include safety upgrades, a planned new elementary school in the county's northwest to relieve overcrowding, additions at several elementary and middle schools to increase capacity, and turf for high-school baseball and softball fields. Blue priorities include technology and fine-arts equipment, additional buses and lifecycle maintenance; gold projects would move forward if revenues exceed red and blue priorities.

Officials disputed common community misconceptions, saying passage would not automatically increase property taxes or eliminate the senior tax exemption. They also said SPLOST 7 would not take effect until the current SPLOST (SPLOST 6) expires; if voters approve SPLOST 7 on Nov. 4, collection would begin only after SPLOST 6's five-year term completes.

The presentation included outreach and transparency information and noted that advanced voting opened Oct. 14; staff said more details and a full projects list are on the district website. Board members asked clarifying questions about capacity, redistricting and how additions would be used to reduce modular classroom units.

The presentation concluded with staff saying they will continue public information efforts and return to the board as needed for next steps.