The merger of Woodson Primary (left) and Grove Park Intermediate Schools, which would create a new $18.5M Woodson Park Elementary, is on the list of proposed building projects that could be completed with the renewal of E-SPLOST.
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Building and improvement projects in all nine Atlanta Public Schools clusters are part of the spending plan for the $546 million that could result from the renewal of a proposed Educational Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (E-SPLOST).
The renewal of this one-penny sales tax will be on the ballot during the General Primary Election, Tuesday, May 24. The E-SPLOST would fund major construction projects, renovate school buildings, provide state-of-the-art technology, upgrade athletic fields, demolish dilapidated structures, relieve overcrowding in some schools, pay for new school buses, improve safety and security, and provide better infrastructure systems like heating and air.
“Our school system — in partnership with the taxpayers of Atlanta — has made tremendous investments in our schools that have played important roles in community revitalization efforts across this city. Now we have the opportunity to ensure those facilities continue to provide a quality educational experience for our students in the decades to come,” APS Superintendent Meria J. Carstarphen said. “We have a clear, carefully crafted plan for this reinvestment in our kids that would continue our dedication to equity throughout Atlanta Public Schools.”
Passage of the E-SPLOST renewal would provide $67M for more technological upgrades to APS schools.
Passage of the E-SPLOST renewal would provide $67M for more technological upgrades to APS schools.
APS joins Decatur City Schools, DeKalb County Schools and Fulton County Schools on the May 24th E-SPLOST referenda. The expiring E-SPLOST, approved by Atlanta, Fulton and DeKalb voters in 2011, is projected to raise approximately $442 million for Atlanta Public Schools, resulting in the completion of major renovation projects in 16 schools, significant HVAC system upgrades in 17 facilities. The district was also able to complete major technology upgrades including the addition of more than 21,000 student desktops to classrooms and labs; the upgrade of network cabling to all classrooms; the upgrade of
The historic David T. Howard Building would be remodled and transformed into the new Iman Middle School with funds from the E-SPLOST.
network switches and internet services (by ten-fold); and the outfitting of all classrooms, labs, media centers, auditoriums and common areas with full wireless capability, including one wireless access point per classroom. If voters renew the measure, APS will continue with its aggressive approach toward upgrading, renovating and maintaining school facilities and systems.
The early voting period, which began May 2 at specific locations, will conclude today.
The old Pryor Street Elementary School facility would be razed with funds from E-SPLOST, if voters renew the one-penny sales tax.
