See some of what over $1 billion in sales taxes has produced for Muscogee schools
Columbus residents will have a chance next week to see what their more than $1 billion in sales taxes the past 29 years have produced for the city’s public schools.
The Muscogee County School District Construction Department will host three consecutive open houses on Feb. 23 to showcase recently completed projects funded by the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. Tours will be conducted at these schools and times:
- Arnold Middle School, 4-5 p.m.
- Kendrick High School, 5-6 p.m.
- Hardaway High School, 6-7 p.m.
Funded through the ESPLOST Columbus voters approved in 2020, “these projects reflect the district’s continued commitment to supporting student success and ensuring every learner has access to safe, modern, and engaging learning environments,” MCSD said in a news release.
The renovations at these schools include a newly redesigned and secured front entrance. The construction work at Arnold also includes a new gym, a renovated media center and updated classroom spaces.
For more information, email the MCSD Office of Communications at communications1@muscogee.k12.ga.us.
MCSD ESPLOST history
In the past 29 years, Columbus voters have approved all six referendums asking for a 1% sales tax to help pay for MCSD infrastructure. Here’s a summary of those ESPLOSTs, which last for five years or until the requested amount of money is collected:
1997: The first ESPLOST in Columbus, approved by 79% of the voters, funded projects such as a new high school (Northside), new air-conditioners and renovations for school buildings. The tax was supposed to collect $188 million, but it produced $140 million during the five-year period. As a result, the school board decided to delay building two new schools: the elementary school that became North Columbus and the middle school that became Veterans Memorial, both funded by the next ESPLOST.
2003: In the wake of the unfulfilled 1997 promises, the 2003 ESPLOST referendum barely passed (50.6% of the votes were yes). The margin was only 280 votes. But this time, the tax reached its revenue goal ($148 million). Combined with other funding, MCSD had $180,437,486 to spend on capital projects, such as a new school (Eagle Ridge Academy), a new Rigdon Road Elementary School and a new Mildred L. Terry Public Library. Money also was set aside for a new MCSD headquarters. That project became controversial when it grew from the original $12.6 million to about $30 million.
2009: This ESPLOST referendum was approved by 57% of Columbus voters to fund a $223,155,784 list of projects, including a new Carver High School, a new middle school (Aaron Cohn) and a new elementary school (Dorothy Height). But the sluggish economy from the Great Recession produced a shortfall of approximately $40 million, prompting the board to reduce and defer some projects.
2015: This ESPLOST referendum was approved by 54% of Columbus voters approving the proposal. The 24 projects amounting to an estimated $192,185,000 included the new Spencer High School, which opened in 2018, the Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts, which opened in 2017 with funding from the 2003, 2009 and 2015 ESPLOSTs, district-wide technology upgrades, district-wide facility needs and a sports complex for district-wide use.
2020: This ESPLOST referendum was approved by 69% of Columbus voters. The 22 projects totaling an estimated $189 million include consolidation of two elementary schools (Dawson and St. Marys Road) into a new building (Mary A. Buckner Academy), construction of the postponed sports complex (Odis Spencer Stadium), replacement of the South Columbus Public Library, upgrade of the Columbus Museum, district-wide technology, infrastructure, safety and security improvements, and building additions, renovations and modifications.
2024: This ESPLOST referendum was approved by 63% of Columbus voters. The 26 projects totaling an estimated $290 million include:
- Combining two elementary schools (Forrest Road and Wesley Heights) into an updated building.
- Acquiring, constructing, adding to, renovating, modifying, repairing, improving or equipping existing schools, other buildings and facilities.
- Upgrades at Double Churches Elementary School, Richards Middle School gym, Rothschild Middle School gym and Fort Middle School athletic fields.
- Adding career readiness labs.
- Upgrades at athletic facilities, the Columbus Museum and the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries.
- Addressing any remaining needs for buildings and grounds.
- Refreshing student and staff computers and other technology.
- Replacing playgrounds and furniture.
- Upgrading educational and athletic equipment.
- Replacing school buses and other vehicles.
- Addressing other facility needs.
- Acquiring property for construction of new schools and facilities.
- Issuance of general obligation debt in the principal amount of $90 million.
This story was originally published February 17, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
