Sam Wellborn, Bennie Newroth to co-chair SPLOST campaign committee
The most newsworthy development Thursday concerning the proposed renewal of the sales tax for capital projects in the Muscogee County School District happened just before the first of the 11 public forums to discuss the issue.
As about 50 folks gathered in the Downtown Elementary Magnet Academy cafeteria, retired Columbus Bank and Trust president Sam Wellborn and retired Columbus Regional Health executive Bennie Newroth confirmed to the Ledger-Enquirer that they will co-chair the campaign to pass the March 17 referendum on the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax.
The 1 percent sales tax would pay for or help fund 24 capital projects totaling an estimated $192,185,000, depending on how much money is collected in five years. The previous SPLOST expired Dec. 31.
Wellborn and Newroth said they are passionate about public education and want to help give the district's students the best facilities possible.
Newroth admitted she hesitated to take on this leadership role because it puts her in the public spotlight.
"I'm usually behind the scenes," she said, "but I want this to pass, and I want to make sure that I've done my part."
Wellborn wants to do his part to support superintendent David Lewis, whom the school board hired 1½ years ago from Polk County, Fla.
"I feel like he is the answer for taking our education system to the top," Wellborn said. "His leadership is vital, and that's why I'm interested."
Lewis began the forum with a 55-minute presentation stating the reasons he requested the board to authorize the SPLOST referendum. Then he answered questions from the audience, which were written on cards and read by MCSD communications director Valerie Fuller. Here are highlights:
Jim McNeely asked about the cost to maintain a new building for Spencer High School, which at $56 million is the most expensive project on the list. No official provided an estimate, but MCSD construction director said it should be less than the existing school. Lewis added that Carver High School, which received a new building from the 2009 SPLOST, recently received an award for being energy efficient.
Nathan Smith asked where the new Spencer will be located and, if the land isn't already acquired, how can the project's cost be estimated? Lewis said the district already owns the targeted property but it would be "premature" to disclose its location.
Teresa Krinsky asked whether any schools will be closed. "No for this year," Lewis said. "Beyond that, I can't answer that." The board appointed a citizens advisory committee to analyze the utilization of all facilities in the district and will make a recommendation to the board, Lewis said.
Pauline Johnson followed up with a more pointed question about possible school closings. She asked whether Spencer and Kendrick high schools will merge, which Paul Olson claimed Thursday in an L-E letter to the editor. "No decisions on any school closings or consolidations have been made going forward," Lewis said.
A resident who only gave his first name, Victor, asked how to get more funding for teachers. Lewis reminded the audience that SPLOST funds must be used for capital projects, not for operations or personnel.
An anonymous resident asked why the SPLOST is "all or nothing" and why voters can't choose which projects to approve. The law determines that, Lewis said, but he noted the Great Recession slowed sales tax collections for the 2009 SPLOST, which brought in $29,457,854 less than the $233,155,784 envisioned. As a result, the board deferred three projects: a new gym at Fort Middle School for district-wide use, other new athletic facilities, and furniture and equipment. Those projects are on the proposed SPLOST list.
Michelle Brown asked how a sales tax request can be justified when "large amounts of students" don't have textbooks to bring home. Lewis insisted neither he nor his three region chiefs are aware of any such case "since the start of the school year. So if there are those situations, let us know. We will certainly address them."
Mark Rice, 706-576-6272. Follow Mark on Twitter@MarkRiceLE.
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Click on this story at www.ledger-enquirer.com for a complete list of the proposed SPLOST projects.
SPLOST FORUMS SCHEDULE
Feb. 3: Kendrick High School, 6015 Georgetown Drive, 6 p.m.
Feb. 10: Spencer High School, 4340 Victory Drive, 6 p.m.
Feb. 12: Fort Middle School, 2900 Woodruff Farm Road, 6 p.m.
Feb. 13: Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, 2 p.m.
Feb. 17: Shaw High School, 7579 Raider Way, 6 p.m.
Feb. 24: Northside High School, 2002 American Way, 6 p.m.
Feb. 26: Arnold Magnet Academy, 2011 51st Street, 6 p.m.
March 3: Gentian Elementary School, 4201 Primrose Road, 6 p.m.
March 5: Dorothy Height Elementary School, 1458 Benning Drive, 6 p.m.
March 10: Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road, 6 p.m.
Call the school district's communications office at 706-748-2034 for more information.
This story was originally published January 29, 2015 at 8:08 PM with the headline "Sam Wellborn, Bennie Newroth to co-chair SPLOST campaign committee."