One-cent sales tax on every dollar spent in Fulton County One-cent sales tax on every dollar spent in Fulton County Used to fund capital improvements Used to fund capital improvements First approved by Fulton voters in 1997 First approved by Fulton voters in 1997 Renewed in 2002 Renewed in 2002 SPECIAL PURPOSE LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX (SPLOST)

On March 20, 2007, Fulton citizens will vote on whether to continue SPLOST for an additional five years. SPECIAL PURPOSE LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX (SPLOST)

SPLOSTs I and II 29 new schools 29 new schools 18 additions 18 additions Renovations and modifications at existing schools Renovations and modifications at existing schools Property tax relief Property tax relief Technology upgrades Technology upgrades Furniture & equipment Furniture & equipment Buses Buses Safety and security Safety and security

During 10 years of SPLOST, student achievement also has increased. STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

SAT scores increased every year SAT scores increased every year Highest system average in state Highest system average in state SAT (Total Verbal and Math)

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT Yearly increases in CRCT

Largest number of schools in state to earn awards from Governors Office of Student Achievement STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

SPLOST allows general fund money to be spent on instructional needs STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

Elementary band and orchestra Elementary band and orchestra Instructional coaches Instructional coaches AP testing AP testing Extended learning Extended learning Special education Special education Limited-English speaking Limited-English speaking Talented and Gifted Talented and Gifted Underfunded state and federal programs Underfunded state and federal programs STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT Examples of how Fulton uses general fund money:

WHY SPLOST III? 600 portable classrooms currently in use 600 portable classrooms currently in use 10,000 new students in past three years 10,000 new students in past three years 20,000 additional students by ,000 additional students by 2011

WHY SPLOST III? North Fulton Active and Planned Residential Development

WHY SPLOST III? South Fulton Active and Planned Residential Development

Class-size reductions Class-size reductions Program requirements Program requirements ESOL ESOL Special education Special education Aging facilities Aging facilities WHY SPLOST III?

WHAT IS IN SPLOST III? 14 New Schools 14 New Schools 11 Classroom Additions 11 Classroom Additions Renovations/Modifications Renovations/Modifications

WHAT IS IN SPLOST III? Technology upgrades Technology upgrades Hardware and software Hardware and software Wireless networks Wireless networks Virtual teaching and learning Virtual teaching and learning Classroom teaching and learning Classroom teaching and learning Business management system Business management system

Equipment purchases Equipment purchases School lab equipment School lab equipment Buses Buses Debt relief Debt relief Principal and interest on previous bonds Principal and interest on previous bonds Land for future school sites Land for future school sites WHAT IS IN SPLOST III?

WHO BENEFITS? EVERYONE! EVERYONE! New Schools New Schools 8 in south Fulton 8 in south Fulton 4 in north Fulton 4 in north Fulton 2 in Sandy Springs 2 in Sandy Springs Building Additions Building Additions 8 in north Fulton 8 in north Fulton 3 in south Fulton 3 in south Fulton

Renovations and modifications at every existing school, such as Renovations and modifications at every existing school, such as Air conditioned ES gyms Air conditioned ES gyms Roofing Roofing Athletic field enhancements Athletic field enhancements Parking additions, paving, Parking additions, paving, resurfacing resurfacing Carpet and flooring Carpet and flooring Restroom renovations Restroom renovations Cabinets and countertops Cabinets and countertops Security cameras and exterior lighting Security cameras and exterior lighting WHO BENEFITS?

OTHER REVENUE OPTIONS Bond referendum Bond referendum Millage increase to property owners Millage increase to property owners

WHY SPLOST? Pay as you go Pay as you go No incurred interest No incurred interest All share in cost All share in cost Lower property taxes Lower property taxes Continuation of current funding formula Continuation of current funding formula

MORE INFORMATION Click on Pennies for Progress button Click on Pennies for Progress button