Although the Georgia General Assembly won't convene for another five months, Superintendent of Education John DeCotis is hoping one proposal goes down in flames.

Georgia's school boards are already marshaling forces to help defeat House Resolution 58. The measure calls for the elimination of property tax funding for education.

Instead, the measure would impose a statewide sales tax of 3 percent to fund school systems. That's on top of what is already in place, including local option tax measures.

If HR 58 is passed, the measure would go to the voters in the form of a constitutional amendment. If the amendment were to pass, 2007 would be the last year systems could levy property taxes for schools.

"The purpose of this is to equalize education in Georgia, but we would be one of the systems most hurt by this proposal," said DeCotis.

The superintendent said Fayette's parents have made it clear through the years that they don't mind paying extra for their children's education. The system locally funds many band and art programs, which would disappear under the sales tax proposal. DeCotis also said the tax burden would dramatically shift.

"Senior [citizens] are exempt from paying the property tax, but would have to pay this sales tax," he said.

Earlier in the year, the Fayette County Board of Education passed a resolution opposing the alternative funding method, and DeCotis has not seen anything in the last few months to change his mind.

"Many people move to Fayette County because of our school system. If all the systems are funded equally, why would they move here?" he said.

DeCotis said the system would lose millions in local funding that allows the school system to hire paraprofessionals and teachers, and said the sales tax funding could ultimately hurt property values.

"They really haven't released all aspects of this plan, but it would have a downside in Fayette County and other counties that fund extra programs in education."