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Wednesday, Nov. 04, 2009

Peach residents renew education sales tax

FORT VALLEY — Peach County residents voted to renew a 1 percent education local option sales tax Tuesday, 1,975 to 840.

The tax will generate an estimated $21 million during five years.

“I am thrilled that the citizens of Peach County recognized the needs of the students and stood behind them,” said Superintendent Susan Clark after learning the results.

The largest single item on the ELOST list is $13.2 million to pay off the principal and interest on Series 2008 A and 2008 B bonds from previous projects.

Among the projects planned are 10 air conditioning units and controls for Peach County High School, Byron Elementary School and Fort Valley Middle School at the cost of $1.2 million.

For $2.5 million, the board of education seeks to continue technology upgrades such as cabling, SMART Boards and video distribution equipment in the schools.

Other projects include a number of improvements to Peach County High School.

Passed in 2005, the current tax is in effect until September 2010, according to Clark.

To contact Andrea Castillo, call 256-9751.