What difference can a penny make? A great deal, if those pennies are collected for upgrading school facilities for children in grades K-12 in Floyd County. As the time is coming to a close for the second SPLOST, we can look back at tremendous progress for our children. Floyd County Schools has completed all major projects promised in the SPLOST referendums and completed them with the funds available from the penny tax.

The biggest project in SPLOST II was the construction of a new Pepperell High School. The new $26 million Pepperell High was constructed on the site of the old school which was built in the early 1950’s. The new two story, 185,000 square foot high school was built to handle growth in the community and provide an attractive learning atmosphere for the young people of Pepperell.

The SPLOST program has provided essential additional classroom space and needed facelifts for many of the education facilities of Floyd County Schools. The timing of these SPLOST initiatives was perfect because changes in state policy related to smaller class sizes demanded more classrooms in Floyd County Schools. The move to smaller class sizes by the state, while a good idea for children, was a problem for school systems across the state because no funds were provided for the extra classrooms that would be needed. The SPLOST initiatives helped Floyd County to handle the increased demand for classroom space.

SPLOST I brought the construction of three new middle schools, a new Johnson Elementary School and new classrooms and renovations to schools across the county. In addition to the new Pepperell High and renovations at Pepperell Primary and Cave Spring, SPLOST II also provided needed classroom space and renovations at other schools.

The SPLOST programs have ignited a revival of school construction that has not been seen in this community since the 1950's. Your pennies have allowed the school system to bring our classrooms into the 21^st century.

How will Floyd County Schools use the SPLOST funds if the SPLOST is extended?