On November 5, 2025, Oconee County voters will decide whether to continue the penny that has been funding safe, modern schools since 1998. Here’s what you need to know—told in everyday language, with real answers from Oconee County Schools’ leadership.

Why a Realtor Is Writing About ESPLOST

You might be surprised to see an article about school funding on a Realtor’s website. After all, my day job is helping families buy and sell homes in Oconee County. But here’s the truth: these things matter. The quality of our schools has a direct impact on our property values, our community’s growth, and the decisions families make when they choose where to live. That’s why I believe it’s important to understand what’s on the ballot this November.

A Chromebook Story to Start

And on a personal level, it matters to me as a dad. Driving my son Parker to Oconee County Primary School recently, he asked me what day it was. When I told him “Tuesday,” he lit up: “That means I get to bring my Chromebook home tonight!” He couldn’t wait to show me his favorite math game, ST Math. Moments like this remind me that ESPLOST dollars don’t just fund buildings—they directly touch our kids’ daily learning. Without this penny, those Chromebooks, along with cybersecurity and firewalls to keep them safe, wouldn’t be possible.

Not long ago, I was invited to serve on the School Council for Oconee County Primary. After one of those meetings, I picked up the phone and called Peter Adams, the CFO of Oconee County Schools. Within 24 hours, we had a meeting scheduled. I walked into his office, and what struck me most was the openness and transparency. Peter, along with Steven Colquitt, Director of Communications, didn’t hold back—they laid out the challenges, the planning, and the strategy in detail. It gave me an even deeper respect for the level of fiscal responsibility and forward thinking that goes into managing this penny on behalf of all of us.

What is ESPLOST?

ESPLOST stands for Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. It’s a one-cent sales tax—collected since 1998—that goes directly to school facilities, safety, technology, buses, and major repairs. It does not fund salaries. This is not a new tax; it’s the continuation of the same penny we’ve been paying for over 25 years. Or as Oconee Schools puts it: “Same Penny, Big Results.”Everyone who shops in Oconee contributes—residents, visitors, even people just stopping at the Oconee Connector commercial district. That means the cost of maintaining great schools is shared by more than just property owners.

Questions & Answers with Oconee County Schools

How long has ESPLOST been around? Could it ever end?

ESPLOST began in 1998 and has never lapsed. If voters chose not to renew it, the tax would end until another ballot could be held—leaving a gap of a year or more. In that time, projects would stall, roofs would leak, and schools would shift from proactive upkeep to reactive patch jobs. As a homeowner, it would be like me delaying needed repairs along the way and then dealing with much larger, more costly issues later. It just doesn’t make good sense.

Who collects this penny and how does it reach Oconee County Schools?

When businesses collect sales tax at the register, they send it to the Georgia Department of Revenue. From there, the state distributes it back to counties each month. Oconee County’s share goes into school projects that will be approved by the board of education.

What is a “funding cap” and why does it matter?

Each ESPLOST has a projected revenue cap based on economic forecasts. Once that cap is reached—or five years pass, whichever comes first—collections stop until voters approve a continuation. It’s a careful balance: set the projection too low, and funds run out early; set it too high, and the community might question fiscal responsibility. In fact, ESPLOST VI is projected to reach its cap in just four years because projections made in 2019–2020 were conservative given economic uncertainty at the time due to the pandemic.

Why use bonds?

Some projects, like building Dove Creek Middle School, can’t wait years for sales tax dollars to trickle in monthly. Bonds allow the district to borrow against future ESPLOST collections and get projects built when they’re needed, not just when the money arrives. Voters authorize a bond limit as part of the ESPLOST referendum—up to $12.1 million this cycle.

What has ESPLOST built so far?

• Dove Creek Middle School and Dove Creek Elementary School
• Renovations at Oconee County Primary, Rocky Branch Elementary, and more
• Instructional Support Center
• 1:1 Chromebooks for students
• Transportation upgrades, including buses with air conditioning
• Major HVAC replacements and athletic facility improvementsOne surprising fact: Oconee buses run on a 20-year/200,000-mile cycle. That shows real fiscal responsibility—it’s not like we’re buying new buses every 5–10 years. But without ESPLOST, we’d risk stretching that cycle too far and having 25-year-old buses on the roads for our kids.

How does the Oconee Connector help our schools?

It means out-of-county shoppers are helping pay for Oconee County schools. A quick look at a shop in a parking lot at the Oconee Connector shows cars from surrounding counties—and even further. Every non-resident dollar spent in Oconee helps lower the tax burden for locals.

What’s planned if ESPLOST VII passes?

Upcoming projects include:

• Replacing aging roofs, HVAC systems, and addressing water intrusion
• Resurfacing activity and tennis courts
• Renovating Malcom Bridge Elementary and North Oconee High School
• Adding turf and lights to practice fields, improving stadiums and adding new turf to fields, and new athletic storage
• Replacing buses and “white fleet” vehicles
• Upgrading technology—Chromebooks, interactive panels, servers, firewalls, and district-owned fiber

Is ESPLOST better than raising property taxes?

Yes. Property taxes could cover some needs, but with ESPLOST, the cost is shared by visitors and non-residents too. That keeps Oconee property taxes lower. In fact, the school board recently helped lower the millage rate thanks to ESPLOST support.

What if ESPLOST VII doesn’t pass?

Projects stop. The district would face a year-long gap until another referendum could be held, forcing them to dip into the general fund which currently covers about 2.5 months of operating expenses. That would push schools into a reactive mode instead of proactive maintenance.

What will families notice most in the next five years?

The community is benefiting from the practice field at OCHS having competition lighting sorecreation leagues, band, and sports teams can use the field back-to-back. Families also see daily benefits in Chromebooks, reliable Wi-Fi, and safe, modern facilities. Simply put: this penny shows up everywhere, from the classroom to the ball field.

Final Thoughts

Oconee County’s schools average 31 years old, even though many feel “new.” Without ongoing investment, those buildings—and the learning inside them—fall behind. ESPLOST is how we keep them strong, safe, and modern without putting the full weight on property owners alone.As a parent and a citizen, I came away grateful for the transparency, the planning, and the fiscal responsibility of Oconee County Schools. This penny truly is small change with big results—for my son Parker, and for every student in Oconee County.