Board of Ed Debates Use of Leftover SPLOST Money

The large savings that once were common for construction projects are no longer there, causing SPLOST Chief Administrative Officer Doug Shepard to modify the use of the plan for accelerated SPLOST construction projects.

The Cobb County Board of Education will listen to the administration’s proposal during its monthly work session Wednesday in the Central Office boardroom at 514 Glover St.

“We’re not seeing the savings in the current construction market that we’ve observed in the past,” Shepard told Patch.

In October 2010, the board approved accelerating SPLOST III projects to take advantage of construction costs driven down by the recession. The plan was to be funded through 2013.

Over the summer, the district completed 16 projects costing more than $10.3 million and saved $724,000 on the accelerated schedule, Shepard reported.

The school system isn't getting construction bids far under budget now. It may not make sense to rush SPLOST projects anymore. The leftover money from the last SPLOST is still up for grabs.

The administration proposes using the money to buy down the property tax rate, but Board of Education member David Banks of Northeast and East Cobb’s Post 5 wants to use the leftover SPLOST II money to give all school district employees a 1 percent bonus.

“This is to get relief right now,” Banks said. “If I thought no money was available, I never would’ve raised this issue, but I believe there is available funds.”

How do you think the school system should use that money?

New Superintendent Michael Hinojosa also has a proposal for changing to process to hire principals. His plan involves a citizen screening committee for principal candidates. What do you think of that idea?

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