Henry County Board of Education Approves E-SPLOST VII Resolution, Shares 2028-2032 Project List

HENRY COUNTY, GA – During its January meeting, the Henry County Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution to enable voters to continue the Education - Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (E-SPLOST) for an additional five years.

The referendum for Henry County’s seventh E-SPLOST will appear on the ballot of the upcoming General Primary Election/Nonpartisan Election on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

E-SPLOST is a one-cent sales tax on every dollar spent in the county that, if approved by voters, is collected over a five-year period. Anyone making a purchase or traveling through the county helps to fund education-related capital projects for Henry County Schools.

HCS allocates around 90% of its annual operating budget to the salaries and benefits of its dedicated teachers and staff. With the remaining budget covering general operating expenses, E-SPLOST provides a vital revenue source for capital needs. These include safety and security infrastructure, instructional equipment and classroom resources, transportation, technology infrastructure and cybersecurity, as well as land acquisition, construction, and renovation.

“Henry County Schools’ use of E-SPLOST funds exemplifies the district’s mission and vision in action, highlighting our proactive commitment to student and staff well-being and operational effectiveness through investments in modern infrastructure for supportive, safe, and secure learning environments,” said HCS Superintendent Dr. John Pace III.

Henry County voters helped the district keep pace with the community’s rapid expansion, first approving E-SPLOST in 1997, and supporting a total of six consecutive E-SPLOST referendums, funding large capital projects, including construction of 22 new schools, the Fairview Performing Arts Center, and Transportation Facility - West, as well as additions to existing schools, facilities upgrades, safety and security infrastructure for all schools, school bus purchases, technology advancements, turf athletic fields and stadium lighting.

If approved, E-SPLOST VII (2028-2032) would continue to fund capital projects, including:

• Safety and security enhancements, including districtwide upgraded classroom door locks, additional middle and high school security doors, and elementary school camera replacement
• Districtwide painting of schools
• Modernized school infrastructure, including flooring and lighting
• Districtwide network technology, network security, equipment, and device refresh
• Continuing school bus replacement with new clean-fuel, air-conditioned buses (25 per year)
• Continuing school furniture replacement
• Continuing roof replacement
• Phased athletics enhancements, including stadium LED lights, athletic field turf replacement, athletic equipment replacement, and weight room upgrades
• Middle school STEM lab renovations and orchestra room additions
• Improved elementary school cafeteria sound systems
• Additions to Dutchtown Elementary School and Tussahaw Elementary School
• Renovation of Transportation Facility - East

HCS initially presented the project summary for public review in December, accepting public comment through Jan. 9.

“After holding numerous community meetings and gathering feedback from our stakeholders in the fall, the proposed E-SPLOST VII project list reflects the district’s commitment to enhancing the learning environment for all students and staff,” said Dr. Pace. “These investments support our mission and vision and align with the community’s hopes, dreams, and aspirations for public education in Henry County. Our Board of Education is committed to ensuring every student has access to a safe, innovative, and supportive learning environment. By investing in the development and improvement of our schools, we aim to create spaces that foster academic excellence and prepare our students for future success.”

Election Details

• Election Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Polls open from 7 a.m.- 7 p.m.
• Early Voting Dates: April 27-May 15
• Unregistered voters must register by April 20, 2026, to participate in this election

Visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s Election Day resource page for more information about voting procedures and polling locations.