A closer look at E-SPLOST IV

If approved by Cobb voters, the penny sales tax would be in effect for five years and is expected to raise a total of $773.2 million. It would be the fourth penny sales tax devoted to education.

Backers of the measure say it is the best way to raise money for schools while avoiding debt. Opponents say this is money looking for a place to be spent.
 
If approved, E-SPLOST IV would send more than $717 million to Cobb schools. That would include money to rebuild Walton and Osborne High Schools, replace a middle school in East Cobb as well as two elementary schools. It would also be used to construct a new career academy. 
 
The E-SPLOST also includes more than $55 million to be spent by the Marietta School District. That money would be used to pay off debt, upgrade technology, build and improve schools and beef up transportation.