How ELOST Strengthens Our Schools and Supports Every Student in Walton County

It’s not unusual to think about the kind of world our children will inherit and the kind of schools they’re learning in today. We all want safe, welcoming, and well-equipped schools that give our kids the best possible chance to succeed. In Walton County, one of the key tools that makes this possible is something you may have heard of: ELOST, or the Educational Local Option Sales Tax.

Also commonly known as SPLOST, though it’s a more specific version of it, ELOST is a practical, effective way of investing in our children’s future. With early voting starting October 13 and Election Day on November 4, now is the time for community members to understand what ELOST is and, more importantly, how it directly benefits our kids every single day.

What Is ELOST?

ELOST is a special one-penny sales tax approved by voters that goes directly toward school improvements. According to Walton County School District Superintendent Chip Underwood, “ELOST provides a critical source of funding for schools without raising property taxes. For students, it often means access to better facilities, safer schools, up-to-date technology, and modern learning environments. For schools, it enables long-term planning and improvements that directly enhance education quality.”

Unlike property taxes, which fall mostly on local homeowners, this sales tax is shared by everyone who spends money in Walton County, including visitors passing through! In other words, whether someone is buying gas on their way to Athens, grabbing dinner in Loganville, or doing some holiday shopping in Monroe, they’re helping our schools.

What Does ELOST Pay For?

When parents talk about what they want for their children’s education, the list is often simple: safe classrooms, up-to-date technology, reliable transportation, and spaces that make learning exciting. ELOST helps provide all of that. Here are just a few of the things ELOST has paid for over the last several decades.

New and Improved School Buildings

In Social Circle, families just celebrated the opening of a brand-new elementary school this year, made possible by ELOST dollars. For many children, this was their first “first day of school” in a new building, a milestone that wouldn’t have been possible without community support. Walton County Schools, under the leadership of Superintendent Chip Underwood, have also seen the benefits of ELOST funding, from updated facilities to classrooms equipped for modern learning. Carver Middle School is currently undergoing some major changes, and Atha Road and Youth Elementary recently had some renovations done as well. Underwood shares, “ELOST helps schools by funding construction, renovations, transportation, and technology without relying on debt or cutting academic programs.”

Transportation

Superintendent Matt Remillard of Social Circle Schools explained that ELOST allows the district to purchase new buses regularly. “We’re able to buy a bus every year, give or take,” he said. “That means a safe and reliable transportation method for our students.” As parents, there’s peace of mind in knowing that our children are getting to and from school safely each day.

Technology in the Classroom

Not too long ago, classrooms were lined with textbooks and chalkboards. Today, technology has transformed how our children learn. ELOST dollars have helped shift classrooms to Chromebooks and digital tools that make learning more interactive and prepare students for the modern world. “Learning is enhanced through technology,” Remillard explained. “It used to be textbooks; now it’s Chromebooks. That shift is only possible because of ELOST.”

Comfortable, Healthy Environments

Anyone who has sat in a hot classroom in August knows how important heating and air conditioning can be, not just for comfort, but for focus and learning. ELOST helps pay for HVAC improvements to help make sure students can concentrate on learning instead of the temperature in the room. It also provides a better opportunity for teachers to be successful. Walton County Schools Superintendent Underwood shares, “It ensures the teachers get to work in safer, more functional spaces and have access to improved instructional technology and resources.”

Specialized Learning Materials and Athletic Facilities

From instructional tools to athletic complexes, these resources make a real difference in a child’s school experience. Remillard noted that both the middle school and high school in Social Circle have facilities that came directly from ELOST dollars, and Underwood shares that an important aspect of ELOST is “improving athletic, arts, and extracurricular facilities.” These spaces create pride in schools and give students opportunities to grow beyond the classroom.

Planning for Today and Tomorrow

One of the things parents can appreciate most is that school leaders aren’t just thinking about today; they’re also preparing for tomorrow.

Social Circle Schools plan to use a portion of ELOST to pay off the bond for their new elementary school, making sure debt is managed responsibly. At the same time, they’re looking ahead at technological needs, buses, and ongoing facilities maintenance. “We’re always in the 5-10-year mindset,” Remillard explained, “planning for additional facilities so we’re ready when the time comes.”

Underwood emphasizes this forward thinking by noting some future plans for ELOST, including building or renovating schools to accommodate growth, investing in advanced technology and STEM labs, enhancing school safety and security measures, improving energy efficiency and sustainability, and upgrading transportation and facilities to support student learning.

This long-term vision matters. Our county is growing, and with it comes the need for more classrooms, more buses, and more resources. ELOST ensures we can meet those needs without putting the burden on property owners.

Why This Matters to Walton County Families

It’s easy to see the everyday impact of ELOST. Our kids benefit from safe buses, modern classrooms, and the kind of technology that keeps them engaged in learning. But beyond that, ELOST is about fairness and community.

Because it’s a sales tax, visitors and shoppers who don’t even live here help contribute to our schools. That means the responsibility doesn’t rest only on families who already call Walton County home. As Remillard put it, “We’re really thankful that the community has been so supportive of our schools and kids for so long, but it’s great to let visitors help us out too.”

A great sense of community support is what makes Walton County such a special place to raise children. Our schools aren’t just buildings; they’re the heart of our towns, shaping the next generation of leaders, neighbors, and friends.

Underwood emphasizes the significance of this initiative, sharing that “ELOST is a vital, voter-approved tool that supports local education by funding critical school improvements without increasing property taxes. It directly benefits students, teachers, and the entire community by creating better learning environments and supporting the future of public education.”

Looking Ahead: What’s at Stake This Fall

The continuation of ELOST will be on the ballot this fall, with early voting beginning October 13 and the final election day on November 4. Voting “yes” doesn’t create a new tax—it simply continues the existing penny that has already been in place for years. In fact, ELOST has been going strong in Walton County since 2002.

This isn’t about politics; it’s about our kids. It’s about making sure they have the tools they need to learn, grow, and thrive. When you look at the bright new elementary school, the safe buses pulling up each morning, or your child logging into a Chromebook, you can see the tangible differences that ELOST makes.

A Parent’s Perspective

At the end of the day, every parent wants the same thing: for our children to be safe, to feel supported, and to have opportunities to succeed. ELOST helps make that possible, and it does so in a way that spreads the responsibility fairly across everyone who spends money in our county. It’s not always easy to see where our tax dollars go, but with ELOST, the results are right in front of us: on the bus routes, in the classrooms, and in the gyms and fields where our kids grow in confidence. Supporting ELOST is supporting our children, plain and simple.

Coming Together for Our Schools

Our community has always rallied around its schools, and that tradition continues with every vote to renew ELOST. As Social Circle Superintendent Matt Remillard summed it up, “We’re appreciative of the support and for the community to rally around our schools. This tax has been around for many years, but it helps defer the cost a bit and keep millage rates where we want them to be.”

When you head to the polls this fall, remember that a “yes” for ELOST is a “yes” for safer schools, better technology, modern classrooms, and the kind of future we all want for our kids. It’s a chance for us, as parents and community members, to invest in what matters most: the success and well-being of our children and their future.