Fulton school tax referendum includes Johns Creek campus improvements

Twelve Johns Creek-area schools are in line for upgrades under Fulton County Schools' $1.3 billion Capital Plan 2032, which voters will decide whether to fund on Nov. 3.

The plan spells out how the district would spend revenue from a reauthorized Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, known as ESPLOST. The existing 1% sales tax expires June 30, 2027, and the Fulton County School System Board approved a resolution in June placing the referendum on the ballot.

What's in it for Johns Creek

The call for election names Johns Creek High School for critical-systems updates. Johns Creek High, Chattahoochee High School and Northview High School are all listed for broader capital improvements that can include HVAC, roofing, plumbing, electrical work, safety upgrades, LED lighting, ADA renovations and athletic-facility work.

Six middle schools serving Johns Creek families also appear on the project list: Autrey Mill, Haynes Bridge, Holcomb Bridge, River Trail, Taylor Road and Webb Bridge. Three elementary schools are included: Medlock Bridge, Ocee and Shakerag.

The resolution caps total Fulton County Schools spending at approximately $1,306,195,350. That figure depends on the ratio of Fulton County School System students to Atlanta Independent School District students, as determined by the latest enrollment count before the referendum.

Five spending categories

Capital Plan 2032 divides spending into five areas, according to the district's project website:

Facilities (~$713 million): school replacements, renovations, critical-system updates, athletic facilities and reserves.
Technology (~$300 million): device refreshes, network upgrades, cybersecurity, a centralized data environment and a "One Card" student ID system for bus ridership, building entry, attendance and meals.
Safety and security: surveillance systems, visitor management, emergency communication tools, automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and police equipment.
Transportation: replacement buses on a 10-year-plus-two-year cycle, including wheelchair-lift buses, along with GPS, fuel-management and camera upgrades.
Furniture and equipment: lifecycle replacement of classroom furniture, custodial gear and instructional equipment.

Those preliminary cost estimates were presented to the board in May by Chief Financial Officer Marvin Dereef. Chief Operations Officer Noel Maloof and Chief Strategy and Technology Officer Dr. Joe Phillips presented the facilities, safety and technology portions across board meetings in April, May and June.

How it's funded

ESPLOST is a pay-as-you-go sales tax that carries no interest costs, according to district materials. The district said alternatives such as general-obligation bonds or a higher maintenance-and-operations millage rate carry different long-term cost implications and a greater impact on taxpayers.

The countywide referendum would raise a combined maximum of roughly $2.1 billion. That total includes up to $350 million in general-obligation debt for the Atlanta Independent School District, a separate allocation from the Fulton County Schools portion.