Coweta continues 1-cent sales tax for schools

Coweta County voters on March 15 voted overwhelmingly to continue the Coweta County School System’s current 1-cent sales tax for education (E-SPLOST).

Though the turnout was light, those who cast a vote in favor of the measure outnumbered those opposed by more than a 2-1 margin.

The five-year 1-cent sales tax passed with 69.3 percent of voters approving the measure. The vote tally showed 3,380 in favor and 1,494 opposed.

The continued sales tax carries a maximum revenue of $130 million. The current E-SPLOST expires in June 2012.

The funds will be used for a variety of purposes, including the purchase of buses, technology, text books and digital media, land and renovations to a number of schools.

Revenues will also be used for land the acquisition, construction and equipping of one or more new high schools, one or more new middle schools, one or more new elementary schools and a new transportation facility.