Community Corner

Opinion: To Change DeKalb School Board, We Must Keep e-SPLOST

Education e-SPLOST is necessary to improve school system, says Dr. Roberts.

By Carla Roberts, MD, PhD

In November DeKalb voters will be asked to reapprove a one-cent sales tax for the construction and capital improvements to school buildings across the entire County. This is not a tax increase; the Education SPLOST is how DeKalb County Schools has funded school construction since 1996 – when the SPLOST was first approved by the voters. It has been approved three times, and funded twenty-two new schools, twenty-two major renovations, and dozens of capital renewal projects. SPLOST funds have also been used to improve technology in the classrooms to keep our students learning in a 21st century environment. 

The Education SPLOST is currently the only permanent funding mechanism for school improvement and construction in DeKalb County, and it has several advantages. First, SPLOST funds, by law, are required to be spent only on those projects outlined in the project list, which is available for public inspection. There is no discretion by members of the Board of Education to redirect SPLOST funds for anything other than projects enumerated on the list. Property taxes levied by the Board of Education, however, can be used for whatever the Board decides. 

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Second, e-SPLOST revenue is generated by sales taxes in DeKalb – including tourists, visitors and shoppers from other counties, which helps ease the burden of property taxes on DeKalb homeowners. Between 35 and 40 percent of all SPLOST revenue is generated by people who spend their money in DeKalb County, but who do not live here. That's money that DeKalb taxpayers don't have to pay. To generate an equivalent amount of revenue using property taxes, the Board would have to increase property tax rates by over two mills. DeKalb homeowners and property taxpayers have seen property tax increases already this year, and shouldn't be required to pay even more than they already are.

DeKalb is unique among Counties in Georgia in that we have an additional $2,500 added to the standard homestead exemption on our property taxes, (an exemption that's 25 percent higher than any other county in Georgia) -but only as long as a sales tax for education in place. If DeKalb's e-SPLOST is not renewed, that exemption goes away, and property taxes go up automatically, even if the Board doesn't raise the millage rate at all. 

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Many parents, myself included, have expressed deep concern about the operations of the Board of Education, which seems prone to infighting and bickering. This year, State Rep. Mike Jacobs wrote and passed legislation to reduce the number of School Board Members from 9 to 7. This is an important step in making the Board more efficient and functional, and I applaud Rep. Jacobs' good work at reforming the school board. But as written, the e-SPLOST must be in place in order to cut the school board from 9 members to 7. If the e-SPLOST is not renewed, DeKalb County will keep exactly the Board it currently has. 

A robust school system helps keep DeKalb County attractive to families and businesses, and is the primary driver of property values. Keeping the e-SPLOST in place will help keep DeKalb property values high and prevent more property tax hikes. It will allow DeKalb County to keep our 25 percent extra homestead exemption, and it funds schools with revenue from anyone who shops here, rather than only taxing those who live here. Renewing SPLOST this November will also reduce the number of board members from 9 to 7. 

It may be tempting, in a down economy, to throw in the towel and stay home on Nov. 8. But to allow the e-SPLOST to go away would hurt homeowners, hurt students, raise property taxes and keep the current board exactly as it is. We all need to vote to keep the e-SPLOST.

Carla Roberts co-chairs the Friends of DeKalb Education.


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