Between the Cobb and Marietta school districts, the county’s two public school systems are asking for voters to approve collections of more than $773.3 million in sales taxes between Jan. 1, 2014, and Dec. 31, 2018.
Cobb alone will receive 93 percent of collections, or about $717.8 million, and Marietta about 7 percent, or $55.4 million.
Any voter in Cobb can vote at the elections office main location, 736 Whitlock Ave. in Marietta, Feb. 25 through March 15, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The week of March 11to 15, four more satellite locations will open for voters between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.:
* East Cobb Government Service Center, 4400 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta
* South Cobb Community Center, 620 Lions Club Drive, Mableton
* Northstar Church, 3413 Blue Springs Road NW, Kennesaw
* Boots Ward Recreation Center/Lost Mountain Park, 4845 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs.
Polls will not be open Monday, March 18, but all 153 voting locations in Cobb will be open Tuesday, March 19, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
There also are two voting locations that have changed.
Residents who previously voted at Community Bible Church will now vote at Chalker Elementary School, 325 North Booth Road, Kennesaw. The John Knox Presbyterian Church site has been changed to the East Marietta Library, 2051 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta.
The following locations will be changed for the March 19 vote only:
* Martha Moore Education Center to Ben Robertson Community Center, 2753 Watts Drive, Kennesaw
* Northeast Cobb YMCA to Hightower Trail Middle School, 3905 Post Oak Tritt Road, Marietta
* Towne View Baptist Church to Christ Episcopal Church, 1210 Wooten Lake Road NW, Kennesaw
* Wildwood Baptist Church to Pitner Elementary School, 4575 Wade Green Road, Acworth.
Voters can apply for a mail-in ballot by submitting an application online at cobbelections.org or by calling the office at (770) 528-2581.
To find out more information about where to vote, visit the state’s voter web page at sos.ga.gov/mvp.
Cobb’s portion of the 1 cent sales tax includes the district spending around $175.5 million on new or replacement facilities, $10 million on land, $130.3 million on additions or modifications, $179 million on infrastructure and individual school needs, $97.9 million on safety and support and $125 million on curriculum, instruction and technology.
To view a detailed project list for Cobb, visit cobbk12.org.
Marietta is asking for passage of the referendum to help pay off its $15.2 million debt and more than $40 million in renovations, technology purchases and transportation in the city school district.
A complete project list for Marietta City can be found online at marietta-city.org.
Follow us on Twitter!
A while back while I was pumping gas into my car when this Meth crazed guy carrying a big glass jar came up to me and asked for money. On the jar was a label that said.... "For the Kids" and I thought... Right.
Behind some of these comments I see Tax crazed citizens coming up to me with a SPLOST that's labeled... "For the Kids" and I think... Right.
Please clearly share your vision of... "the very best schools possible"
Can't raise school property taxes above 20.0 mills in GA.
The school budget has been based on 20.0 and 19.9 the past few years.
Using SPLOST naysayer logic, we should not build school restrooms since restrooms ostensibly don't serve an educational purpose.
Continuing with their flawed logic, it's horrifying to consider providing theaters to accommodate student needs - they would have you believe nothing is ever learned in a theater.
Ask those students now appearing on Broadway that got their start in Cobb's schools if they agree.
By the way... it's called Physical Education for a reason. Facility (i.e. gyms) demands are much greater today than 20-30 years ago.
We are able to provide PE facilities for all of our students right now, however, that will be cut also, as we cannot pay the teachers. But that will save us money on maintenance and upkeep on the new gyms because they won't be used as much.
With regards to the tax rate, look for it to be raised by the legislature in the next 12 to 18 months anyway. It is going to happen because the state is running out of money faster than Cobb County. So, the end result is going to be higher taxes anyway, and a nifty SPLOST on top of that.
Granted, another penny is not going to kill me at the grocery store...but I would rather see it go towards fixing our existing problems rather than gloss them over with new buildings and the latest fads. I know SPLOST can not be used for that, but it is a slap in the face to look at an educator and tell them "we can't pay you what we agreed to pay you, but the new theater sure is pretty."
El wrong-o! That would be correct if you are only an extra or an "appearance only" role. If you're talking something like a TV commercial, they could add residuals based on the number of times it airs, too! If an actor consistently makes "below the poverty line", perhaps they're in the wrong line of work!
If people would educate themselves on what SPLOST means for not only the Cobb community but the children, they would be 100% pro-SPLOST. The Cobb School District has put together an excellent video on their main page describing the difference between Genderal Funds and SPLOST funds. Please educate yourselved before making a decision.
Now schools save on maintenance of the grass. No more sod, overseeding, water, mowing, maintenance on the mowers, gas, field painting, etc. Just look at your own yard or your neighbors yard and realize what goes on to keep things looking decent and manageable. Do you hate fresh air and exercise? Were you overweight in high school and now you've carried your negativity and unhealthy lifestyle into your adult years and begrudge those who think it's important to participate in athletics, marching band and healthy living? The band kids devote more time to their marching band routine then the athletes and are in good shape when they're done with summer marching commitments.
As for the Lassiter theater, do you realize that there has only been one theater in the entire county that is able to accommodate a small crowd for events? That is at McEachern and it's because they have the good fortune of an endowment. Their facility is beautiful but it's not exactly around the corner for all 16 schools in the county and it is booked constantly. The new Lassiter theater is a win/win for so many reasons and yet you deem it useless and frivolous.
A well rounded student/person has access to academics, athletics, fine arts...come on. Don't you see the pluses that we are trying to provide for ALL kids in Cobb County? Try and take off your blinders for a brief moment. Don't be so selfish and only think of yourselves.
Squander it likes thieves? In 14 years of audits, not one single instance of mismanagement of previous SPLOST funds has arisen.
Do you understand that the only other way to raise the funds needed for these projects is through a bond that will increase your property taxes? Vote NO to higher property taxes and Vote YES on March 19th.
While SPLOST won't directly alleviate class size issues now, failing to pass it likely would INCREASE class sizes. Like it or not, SPLOST reduces many financial burdens on the general fund. If it doesn't pass, it will be another $20 or $30 million hit on the same fund that pays teachers' salaries. Getting rid of even more teachers to balance the budget would mean the remaining teachers would need to absorb more students into their classes... increasing class sizes!
Do YOUR homework! YOU be informed! Then vote!
Do you now that maintaining grass athletic fields comes out of the operations budget? Yes, the same budget that pays our teachers.
Did you know that astro turf doesn't grow? Therefore, we do not have to cut teacher salaries to pay for field maintenance.
Are you voting no for the safety and security of our children?
Those projects are in there.
Are you voting no for the shelter of our children while at school?
Those projects are in there.
Are you voting no for technology that will enable our children to be competitive in a digital world?
Those projects are in there.
Yes, VOTERS be informed. Vote YES on March 19th.
* Classroom sizes would likely increase
* More furlough days
* Fewer teaching positions
How many visitors to SIx Flags alone????