Students to Benefit if School Sales Tax is Extended

Students in Peachtree Corners and Berkeley Lake will see some real improvements to their school buildings and improvements to technology if voters on Tuesday, Nov. 8 approve the extension of the penny sales tax for education.

The construction program aims to put the final touches on schools that were built to accommodate the area’s historically high growth rate. During the 1990s, the population in the Peachtree Corners’ area grew by more than 50 percent, and the Gwinnett County school system provided classrooms for the growing student body.

With the growth rate leveling off, but still solidly above 12 percent, according to the latest figures available, now is the time to make the schools safer and more comfortable for children by adding air conditioning in the gyms, and increasing the buildings’ energy efficiency.

The school system wants to address the needs of students in Peachtree Corners and Berkeley Lake, said Sean Murphy, a Norcross business owner and father who’s serving as co-chair of the Gwinnett Kids County campaign.

“The school system is looking to build facilities in areas where they are absolutely critical,” Murphy said.

“The goal is to give kids a positive place to learn,” Murphy said.

Here’s a snapshot of the construction program that’s planned if the sales tax for education is extended on Tuesday, Nov. 8:

• : air conditioning in the gym and kitchen; energy efficiency upgrades.
• : air conditioning in the gym and kitchen; energy efficiency upgrades.
• : air conditioning in the gym and kitchen; energy efficiency upgrades.
• : air conditioning in the gym and kitchen; energy efficiency upgrades.
• : air conditioning in the gym and kitchen; energy efficiency upgrades.

The Buice School also is slated to receive construction upgrades if the sales tax is extended. These improvements are planned to the school in Sugar Hill that serves children with special needs in pre-K and kindergarten.

Here are the upgrades planned at Buice:

• A/C in the gym and kitchen; energy efficiency upgrades.

Murphy said the improvements to the actual school houses is important to him.

“As a father, I want to make sure the kids have access to the best learning environment,” Murphy said. “Look at the improvements being planned for the elementary schools, middle schools and high schools – getting air conditioning in the gyms and kitchens is a real need that we have.”

Sweeping improvements are planned to the technology program, if voters on Tuesday, Nov. 8 extend the sales tax for education.

Here’s a snapshot of the technology upgrade that’s envisioned for schools in the Peachtree Corers community and all of Gwinnett County.

The upgrades will vary by school and include:

• Teacher latops.
• Student research stations.
• Network printers, projectors, screens.
• Wireless notebook carts.
• Computer labs.
• Media center and school video broadcast equipment.
• Network infrastructure improvements.
• Increased wireless access.