Gilmer BOE Continues ELOST “Wish List” Discussion

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Ellijay, Ga – The topic of discussion for the Gilmer County Board of Education called meeting on October 27th, 2014 was that of the Educational Local Option Sales Tax (ELOST) “wish list.”
The meeting opened up with a couple members of the community speaking about areas they would like to see ELOST dollars spent, one of which being an aquatic center that would cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $4 million. The aquatic center would be an indoor pool facility that would be used for things such as swimming lessons, swim team practice, and a variety of other community uses.

The other project spoke about by the public was that of the agricultural complex that could cost upwards of $3.5 million dollars, depending on the square footage. This agricultural complex would be used as a community cannery, show barn, and classroom space.

School Superintendent Jason Kouns was very welcoming to the discussions that were brought forward and wanted everyone to be sure to know that all ideas and thoughts concerning ELOST projects were welcomed.

As the list stands, there are 18 un-prioritized projects spanning over several Gilmer County Charter Schools campuses that are estimated to cost in the ballpark of $53 million. However, if the ELOST were to be passed come March, the county is only expected to bring in between $17-$22 million to go towards the ELOST fund over the life of the five year ELOST length.

This would mean that the list would need to be prioritized and cut down substantially. The list will be evaluated by the board and then prioritized by way of what is considered the greatest needs first.

“One thing that I would certainly note is that what we are doing (between now and December 18th) is setting our priority list. These are things that we would like to see accomplished in a specific order based on needs for the system,”

said Kouns.

Kouns noted that a couple needs that were foremost were that of renovations and upkeep of current school facilities. Another item the board see’s as a need in the near future is several new buses. Also, money would need to be spent in areas such as the technology department to be able to keep up-to-date with the testing requirements by the state of Georgia.

When asked how he planned on persuading the community to vote for the things the board considered to be priorities instead of voting for things such as the agricultural and aquatic centers, Kouns had this to say:

“I would think as elected officials that it is our requirement, our charge, to provide the most resources for the most number of people. We have two responsibilities: we are to be fiscally responsible and we are to be academically responsible. We are to spend our dollar as wisely as we can possibly spend it and serve the most people that we can absolutely serve.”

Kouns went on to say that he would hope that the board as well as the community would see that there are things that are a necessity and then there are things that are a luxury.

The first draft of the ELOST referendum resolution will be completed by November 7th and then presented to the board and public at a board meeting on November 20th. The final list will be approved and finalized on December 18th and sent to Kennesaw State University for ballot printing.

Watch the full meeting below:

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