Athens Reporter

The Jackson County School System (JCSS) has successfully completed payments for Heroes Elementary School, a significant milestone for the community. This marks the second school funded by JCSS without incurring new debt, following Legacy Knoll Middle School's opening in August 2023 and payment completion in February 2024. The funding sources for Heroes Elementary included E-SPLOST funds, State Capital Outlay, and General Funds.

"Being able to pay off Heroes Elementary School is yet another milestone for our community," said Superintendent Dr. Philip Brown. "Through deliberate, calculated strategic planning by our Board of Education, our system opened two new schools in two years, providing permanent, safe classrooms for our students and staff."

Dr. Brown emphasized the importance of the partnership between the community and the school system as they plan to construct additional schools. "As we continue to grow at a record pace, the partnership between the community and our system will remain of critical importance," he stated. "We will continue to be very strategic in our planning to ensure we remain good stewards of public funds and are continuously strengthening the future of public education within our county."

JCSS is recognized as Georgia's fastest-growing school system with over 40 percent growth in student enrollment over six years. To accommodate this growth, JCSS purchased future school sites in Hoschton in January 2024. Plans include three new schools on this site funded by E-SPLOST and a General Obligation Bond. A vote on renewing E-SPLOST and approving the bond is scheduled for March. The proposed bond would replace an existing one used to construct East Jackson High School, Gum Springs Elementary, and South Jackson Elementary, which will be paid off in March.

For more information, visit www.jacksonschoolsga.org/bondsandesplost.