By Eric Curl
Feb. 22, 2025 – Early voting for the Savannah-Chatham County Board of Education’s proposed extension of the 1% Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) begins on Monday, and continues through March 14, ahead of the March 18 referendum.
The ESPLOST extension aims to raise up to $705 million over a 5-year period to fund educational capital-improvement projects, including a new K-8 school and high school in west Chatham County, the rebuild of Windsor Forest Elementary School, and renovations to the district’s central administrative building at 208 Bull St.
Voters can cast their ballots at multiple locations, including the Voter Registration Annex, Islands Library, and Pooler City Hall, with Saturday voting available on March 1 and March 8. For more details on voting and the proposed projects, visit the Chatham County Board of Registrars and the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System’s ESPLOST V page.
SPLOST V PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Western Chatham County Multi-Complex: To accommodate the rapid population growth in western Chatham County, SCCPSS is planning the construction of a new K-8 school by consolidating West Chatham Elementary and West Chatham Middle Schools. Additionally, plans include building a new high school and exploring the development of an athletic complex on a 100-acre site. The estimated cost for the new facilities is $95 million, with the athletic complex projected at $20 million. Design is slated to begin in 2025, construction in 2027, and completion by the 2029-2030 academic year.
Rebuild of Windsor Forest Elementary School: Built in 1963, Windsor Forest Elementary requires modernization. The proposal includes constructing a new facility featuring modern learning spaces, advanced safety features, and energy-efficient infrastructure. The project is estimated at $51.6 million, with design starting in the third quarter of 2026, construction in the second quarter of 2028, and completion by the third quarter of 2031, aiming for a 2031-2032 school year opening.
Rebuild of The STEM Academy at Bartlett: Due to the current facility’s age and location challenges, SCCPSS proposes rebuilding The STEM Academy at Bartlett. The new facility would offer flexible learning and lab spaces, advanced technology integration, and expanded outdoor learning areas. Community input will determine whether to rebuild at the current site or relocate. The estimated cost is $70 million, with design beginning in the fourth quarter of 2025, construction in the third quarter of 2027, and completion by the fourth quarter of 2029, targeting the 2030-2031 academic year.
Savannah High School and Academic Annex Integration: The proposal includes renovating the existing Savannah High School facility to better utilize space by potentially relocating Savannah Early College to a college campus and converting unused areas into administrative offices for the Academic Affairs Division. Planned improvements encompass HVAC system upgrades, roofing, athletic facility enhancements, and electrical system modernization. Funding sources include ESPLOST IV, V, and the fund balance, with an estimated cost of $35 million.
208 Bull Street Renovation: SCCPSS plans to revamp the district’s Central Office at 208 Bull Street to integrate academic programming, specifically a design and architecture program for students, while maintaining administrative functions. The renovation aims to modernize infrastructure and create an innovative environment aligned with academic offerings. The project is estimated at $85 million, funded through ESPLOST V and the fund balance.
Additional ESPLOST V proposals include renovations of Pooler and Gould Elementary Schools, potential updates to DeRenne Middle School, and expanding early childhood education at Hodge Elementary.
For a comprehensive overview of the proposed ESPLOST V projects, check out this ESPLOSTV presentation from last December’s school board meeting.
SOURCE: ESPLOST V Proposed Project Highlights
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