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New school construction does not affect property taxes paid, Superintendent says "It has come to my attention," she said, "that there is a growing belief in our community that the construction of our new school is causing an increase in property taxes in Wilkes County. I wanted to clarify any misunderstanding as well as to thank our citizens for their support of our school system." The new school is scheduled to be completed by the end of January 2009, she said, and the physical move into the new school is planned for April- July 2009 for an August 2009 opening. But property taxes are not the source for school construction funds. "The sign in front of the new school says, 'Your SPLOST Dollars at Work,' and that's a very appropriate slogan for the project," Williams said, "because approximately two-thirds of the cost to build the new school is coming from sales tax generated by a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). The remaining money needed for construction was generated from Facility Funds contributed by the Georgia Department of Education." The school system's portion of property taxes go to pay the $15 million annual operating budget for the school system, including some $10 million in salaries to local teachers and other employees. The new school project, however, is being paid for with a penny tax on every dollar spent in Wilkes County, whether by local shoppers or by visitors. "We would like to thank the citizens of Wilkes County for shopping at home and making the most of our sales tax contributions, because without the sales tax the new school would not have been possible," Williams said. "All of our citizens pay sales tax on the goods and services purchased here in Wilkes County, therefore, the new school is truly a community effort and a permanent structure that our community can be proud of for future generations." As the growing number of tourists, visitors, and newcomers come to Wilkes County, they pay thousands of dollars in sales taxes each month in the SPLOST pot. "It is encouraging to know also that every time someone travels to our community to shop, tour, or attend major events," Williams said, "they also contribute to our new schools through purchases made in Wilkes County." Voters have chosen to approve SPLOST funds to build the new school complex because it spreads the tax burden to everyone who makes a purchase in Wilkes, rather than putting the burden just on property owners, she said. "Our citizens have shown up at the polls in record numbers to vote 'YES' for the SPLOST. This has allowed us to continue to collect sales tax for the repayment of the bonds and loan necessary to generate advance funding to build the new school," she said. "The contribution of the SPLOST will generate the funds needed to pay for the school without imposing an increase in property taxes for this purpose." Citizens can show their community pride in the new school after the school is completed, Williams said, because the community's help will still be needed to beautify the building and grounds. "We solicit the help of community organizations interested in service projects, such as landscaping certain areas or decoration of the main lobby of the school," she said. "All offers of assistance will be greatly appreciated, recognized, and publicized."
Williams urges the community to see the new school project as a matter of pride, the new Home of the Tigers. "Please take the opportunity to drive by the new school complex on Highway 17 and be proud of the school you have been instrumental in building," she said. "We encourage involvement in our schools and would like to invite everyone in the community out to support our teams in upcoming sporting events. Your participation is always appreciated."
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