Educational ESPLOST 5 Receives Local Support

Categories: CharityCommunityEvents/What's HappeningNews

Community members show their support for Educational ESPLOST 5 in Savannah.

News Summary

The Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce has endorsed the Educational Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST 5), which aims to raise $705 million for local schools over five years. Voting for the initiative will take place on March 18, 2025, with early voting starting on February 24, 2025. This funding will support school construction and renovations, including improvements for charter schools. The collective community effort is crucial to ensure impactful education funding without raising property taxes.

Exciting News for Savannah: Educational ESPLOST 5 Gets the Green Light!

Hey there, Savannah! Gather around because there’s big news in town regarding local education funding! The Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors has officially thrown its support behind Educational Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST 5). This is a major step towards ensuring our schools have the funds they need to grow and thrive.

What’s Happening?

Mark your calendars! The ESPLOST 5 program will be on the ballot for everyone to vote on come March 18, 2025. Early voting for this exciting initiative kicked off on February 24, 2025. If you’re passionate about education and want your voice to be heard, now is the time to get involved!

Why ESPLOST 5 Matters

So, why does this matter? Well, it’s all about funding our schools. The ESPLOST 5 program is expected to gather a whopping $705 million over the next five years. That’s a lot of cash going straight to local school construction and renovations. Since the program began in 2006, this is the fifth time we’ve seen ESPLOST presented to voters, and each time it aims to keep up with our growing needs in education.

The Community Response

With the Chamber’s endorsement, members of the business community are being informed and encouraged to support this funding. After all, a strong educational system is vital for nurturing the future workforce. The School Board President expressed immense gratitude for the Chamber’s backing, recognizing how essential this is for tips on business engagement in our community education.

Funding Breakdown

Here’s a fun tip: approximately 40% of the 1-penny sales tax that comes from this program would potentially be funded by visitors to our beautiful city! That means 100% of the proceeds will benefit residents in Chatham County without raising property taxes for either homeowners or businesses. It’s a win-win situation!

The Need for More Schools

As Savannah continues to grow, the need for more educational facilities becomes clearer. Particularly in west Chatham County, there’s an urgent demand for new schools, and one of the most exciting developments on the horizon is the establishment of Pooler’s very first high school.

Investing in Education

The Chamber President and CEO has emphasized a commitment to early-grade literacy. This initiative is more than just bricks and mortar; it’s about investing in our facilities, supporting teachers, and enriching curricula across the board. Education is the foundation, and it’s essential we keep building it strong.

Support for Charter Schools

In a first for the ESPLOST program, it’s also going to support local charter schools! Specific funding will be directed towards the Savannah Classical Academy Charter School and the Coastal Empire Montessori School. This is an encouraging sign of inclusivity and recognition of varied educational needs in our community.

Get Involved!

This is an important moment for all of Savannah, and every voice counts! For those eager to learn more about the ESPLOST 5 campaign and how they can participate, you can check out www.voteyesesplost.com. Together, we can ensure that our schools have what they need to keep thriving in our wonderful community.

Get ready, Savannah, it’s time to come together for our kids and their future!