CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — Voters in Habersham County will decide the future of the school system’s one-cent sales tax this spring after the Habersham County Board of Education approved a resolution Monday to place ESPLOST VII on the May 19 primary election ballot.
The board also approved a new principal for South Habersham Middle School, reviewed the district’s January financial report, and heard praise for a coordinated community response during Winter Storm Fern.
ESPLOST VII moves forward
Superintendent Patrick Franklin said the education special purpose local option sales tax has been a long-standing funding source for the district and is now up for renewal.
“This is the penny that’s been around since I was in high school, and it’s up for renewal,” Franklin said. “It’s used for many things in the school district, but the biggest part of this is our mortgage.”
Franklin said the district plans to educate the community ahead of the vote and highlighted modernization projects, including updated playgrounds at elementary schools, as a key focus.
Chief Financial Officer Staci Newsome told the board the vote to place the referendum on the ballot is the first step in a lengthy process. If approved, the one-cent sales tax would be imposed for up to 20 calendar quarters and is projected to raise as much as $93 million.
Newsome said the revenue could fund construction, renovation and equipping of school facilities, technology and instructional equipment, safety and security infrastructure, buses and support vehicles, and land acquisition. A portion would also be used to pay existing general obligation debt, with voter approval authorizing up to $55 million in new general obligation bonds.
January finances on target
Prior to the ESPLOST discussion, Newsome presented the district’s January financial report, showing revenues and expenditures largely tracking expectations midway through the fiscal year.
The district is about 59% through the fiscal year and has received roughly $64.9 million, or about 54%, of projected general fund revenue. Expenditures totaled about $64.4 million, slightly below the same point last year.
Local revenues, including property taxes and sales taxes, were generally at or above targeted benchmarks, with ad valorem taxes nearly 87% collected. Newsome said 63% of general fund spending continues to go directly toward classroom instruction.
New principal named at South Habersham
The board approved the hiring of B.J. Addison, current principal of Woodville Elementary School, as the new principal of South Habersham Middle School, pending final personnel action.
Franklin described the move as a “homecoming,” noting Addison previously served as assistant principal at South Habersham Middle. Addison will replace retiring principal Daphne Penick.
“He’s done a fabulous job at Woodville Elementary,” Franklin said. “Staff at South Habersham are going to be excited, and I’m excited for you. It’s an exciting day for South Habersham Middle School.”
EMC recognizes school system after Winter Storm Fern
Habersham EMC President and CEO Bryan Ferguson addressed the board and presented a proclamation from the cooperative’s board of directors thanking the school system for its support during Winter Storm Fern.
Ferguson said more than 600 linemen and support personnel were brought in ahead of the storm, creating significant logistical challenges. He said Franklin contacted him before the storm and offered the use of the cafeteria at Clarkesville Elementary School, which allowed crews to be fed for four consecutive days.
“What a blessing,” Ferguson said, calling the offer an answered prayer as restoration efforts ramped up.
During his superintendent’s report, Franklin also recognized Clarkesville Elementary nutrition manager Lisa Watkins for leading the effort. He said Watkins and her staff served thousands of meals on short notice and praised their flexibility and commitment as crews worked to restore power across the county.
