MONROE COUNTY, Ga. — As Monroe County voters make their way to the polls, the Board of Education is asking you to remember their students and staff.
The Education Special Purpose Local Option Tax is back on the ballot for renewal.
The ESPLOST is a one-cent tax collected from anyone who shops in Monroe County, visitors or residents. Folks in Monroe have been paying this penny tax since 1999.
Since then, under the current ESPLOST they have raised over $104 million. In the upcoming cycle the district expects to raise $40 million.
School Superintendent Mike Hickman says if the ESPLOST passes they have big plans.
"New buses, technology for students and staff, white fleet, which are trucks and vehicles that we use in the system," says Hickman
Hickman says they also want to upgrade Dan Pitts stadium.
"It's been quite a while since we've upgraded anything in the stadium, and it's really in three phases," he says.
He says phase 1 has already started, they have built a new concession stand to the stadium. He says the turnout for a Friday night football game is greater than any other county event, so they want to have a great place to host.
"We want to put our best foot forward when people come to Mary Persons High School and Dan Pitts Stadium," he says.
So Phases 2 and 3 will include building a new field house. They plan to tear down the old one as well as the ninth grade gymnasium and open up that area for a plaza.
They plan to build a new field house on the practice fields, and potentially build a multipurpose indoor gym.
They aren't just using the money for Bulldog fun, they're also considering safety
"Keyless entry to some of our facilities, we'll add cameras, motion detectors to some of our areas that aren't covered," he says
He says the goal is always to prevent problems before they occur.
Parent Stephanie Crider says she's all for the ESPLOST if it brings more safety.
"They need that safety for all the kids and the cameras and everything that's what's going to help them," she says.
She says it's a reason for parents to worry less.
"I don't have to worry, none of these other parents have to worry," Crider said.
Other plans include building a new freshman campus.
"We're a growing community, we've added about 250 students this year and 100 students last year," says Hickman.
They want to be able to accommodate their growing population, and put the freshman campus closer to the main one.
Alongside the new freshman campus, they hope to start a college career center. Hickman says this is an investment not just in the students' lives, but in the community.
"That college and career academy won't just serve kids in the school system, it can serve the community as we get ready for new business and industry to come to the county. It can serve as a training ground for them come train workers," he says.
Hickman also says if you're a property owner, this also benefits you.
"It allows us an opportunity to share that tax burden with folks that are traveling and buying things in Monroe County," he says.
The school district says in the past the ESPLOST has funded projects like the fine arts center, new textbooks, and band instruments.
Voters have the opportunity to vote on this tax until Election Day November 8.