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Gwinnett County Public Schools

E-SPLOST Spring 2025

Please note: On April 2, 2025, GCPS updated information about the Capital Program to reference Capital Plan. This change occurred after the printed version of Essentials was mailed to families. The online version reflects the update.

GCPS’ Capital Plan: What You Need to Know

     As the 11th largest school district in the United States, Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) manages a large capital plan, relying on funds from E-SPLOST, G.O. Bonds, and other revenue sources to ensure that our district remains a system of world-class schools. 

What is a capital plan?

     Simply put, the GCPS Capital Plan supports our students and staff every minute of every school day. From the buses that safely transport our students, to our high-quality school facilities and learning environments, our textbooks and technology, safety and security systems that monitor our buildings, our playgrounds, and even desks for students and staff, the capital plan provides the resources necessary for learning.

     Since 1997, E-SPLOST revenue has been the primary source of funding for the district’s capital plan. Capital needs and improvements are planned on a five-year cycle, and each subsequent E-SPLOST program has been renewed by Gwinnett County voters. The funding from E-SPLOST has provided the resources required to keep GCPS growing, thriving, and providing the very best for our students and staff.

Healthy Spaces, Safe School, Room To Learn

What is E-SPLOST?

     E-SPLOST is a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) for education. This one-cent sales tax on retail purchases in Gwinnett County funds school improvements. Everyone who shops here contributes, including visitors. This funding helps the county avoid higher taxes or loans with interest.

     Since its beginning, E-SPLOST revenue has made possible the construction of 64 new schools and 101 school additions,
along with funding the technological upgrades and modernization of our classrooms and student and staff devices, and ensuring safe, efficient, and effective learning environments for all.

E-SPLOST Dollars at Work: Every Minute of Every School Day

     In GCPS, the evidence of E-SPLOST dollars at work is clear and visible across the district. Entering a local school, almost
everything that a student or staff member sees or uses in the learning environment has been made available through the district’s capital plan, funded primarily by E-SPLOST. Recent improvements funded by E-SPLOST include:

More Room to Learn and Thrive

  • North Gwinnett High School (2023)—Three-story addition adding 25 new classrooms, including four science labs, a health lab, and a band room.
  • Trickum Middle School (2024)—Three-story addition adding 25 new classrooms, including computer science rooms, a chemistry lab, and a music technology lab.
  • GIVE Center West (2024)—Build-out adding 41 classrooms including two science labs, a computer lab, a business science lab, a chemistry lab, and a CTAE engineering/CAD lab.
  • Archer High School (opening August 2025)—Three-story addition adding 27 new classrooms, providing additional capacity for 450 students.
  • Central Gwinnett High School (opening August 2025)—Fourth-floor build-out adding 16 additional classrooms, providing additional capacity for 350 students.
  • Murphy Middle School (opening August 2026)—This brand new school, located in the Archer cluster, will have 68 classrooms and house 1,100 students in over 200,000 square feet of space. The new school will include a three-story classroom tower with two collaboration areas for each of the three grade levels.
  • Harbins Elementary School (opening August 2026)—Addition of 20 classrooms housing an additional 300 students.
  • Still to Come… an addition to Shiloh Middle School (opening August 2027), and improvements to the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology. Stay tuned to GCPS district news outlets to learn more.

Safe, Secure, and High-Quality Environments

High-Quality Learning Spaces for Students

     E-SPLOST funding of the district’s capital plan enables HVAC system upgrades, aging roof replacements, and other building system renewal projects to occur in a timely and efficient manner, keeping schools comfortable and running smoothly— so students can focus on learning. During the district’s current capital plan, E-SPLOST has funded the replacement of 12 HVAC systems and 16 roofs, as well as the completion of 15 paving projects.

     School construction, upgrades, and renovations are carefully planned and thoughtfully executed with the goal of
little-to-no disruption to student learning. The vast majority of capital improvement project work is completed during the
summer months, when students are not in school. In 2025, while students are out on summer break, E-SPLOST dollars
will fund HVAC replacement projects at seven schools, roofing replacement projects at 13 schools, and paving projects at eight schools.

Stronger School Security

     Thanks to E-SPLOST, every GCPS school now has a secure front entrance—called a security vestibule—that helps keep unauthorized visitors out. Under the current capital plan, the district also added new intercom systems, security fencing, high-definition cameras, and a better check-in process for visitors, all aimed at keeping students and staff safe during the school day.

Improvements to Classrooms and Educational Environments 

CTAE Student of the Year

     Capital improvements, largely funded by E-SPLOST, also include renovations and enhancements to existing facilities and classrooms, providing students with state-of-the-art spaces that are conducive to hands-on learning. During the current capital plan, GCPS has completed 23 classroom renovation projects that resulted in new or additional CTAE lab space.
     In addition to the creation of learning labs, E-SPLOST also funds interior classroom renovations that include paint, carpet, and other facility enhancements. Under the current capital plan, GCPS has completed 19 interior renovation projects and carpet replacements at 64 schools to-date. During the coming summer months, E-SPLOST will fund five interior classroom renovation projects, all completed prior to the return of students in the fall.

Safe and Reliable Transportation

     E-SPLOST funds also support the district’s school bus replacement strategy, allowing for the continued safe and reliable delivery of our students to-and-from school each day. The GCPS capital plan includes the annual replacement of aging school buses with new buses that include enhanced safety features such as illuminated exterior signs and back-up cameras. All new school buses now purchased come equipped with air conditioning, keeping students comfortable on their trip to-and-from school.

Kids on the playground

Spaces for Students to Play and Grow

Playgrounds and Physical Education Upgrades

     The district’s current capital plan has included the replacement
of 49 play structures at our elementary school locations, providing students more opportunities to play and grow, and helping them to stay healthy and enjoy recess and physical education. E-SPLOST revenue also funds renewal and enhancements to our schools’ athletic fields, tracks, and facilities, planned on a five-year cycle as part of the district’s master plan for renewal.

Cafeteria and Theater Renovations

     Revenue from E-SPLOST funds capital projects such as cafeteria and theater renovations that equip our schools with spaces where students feel comfortable to collaborate, explore, and grow. During the current capital plan, GCPS has completed a theater renovation at Collins Hill High School that included new carpeting, stage enhancements, acoustical cloud ceiling treatments, and state-of-the-art lighting systems. 

     E-SPLOST funding has enabled cafeteria renovations at Collins Hill and Parkview High Schools as part of the current capital plan. Berkmar High School is scheduled for a cafeteria renovation in the summer of 2025, with completion expected before school begins. The cafeteria redesign projects provide greater ease-of-access, less serving line congestion, and a more appealing space.

Tools and Technology to Accelerate Student Learning 

Upgraded Classroom Technology

     The capital plan also includes the technology in our classrooms, media centers, and labs, as well as the laptops and devices used every day by students and staff. E-SPLOST revenue goes towards these capital expenses, ensuring that our schools are equipped with modernized technology to best prepare students for a successful transition to college or career.

     Under the district’s current capital plan, upgraded district technology has been provided for students and staff at all 142 GCPS school locations. Elementary, middle, and high school facilities have received new computers, classroom AV equipment, and printers.

     Other technological enhancements and investments under the district’s current capital plan include the continuation of our robust cybersecurity program to protect student and staff data and ongoing upgrades of our district network infrastructure, increasing network speed, reliability, and connectivity for students and staff.

Students sitting at a table with tablets

Updated Learning Tools and Instructional Materials

     Outdated textbooks were replaced with current materials across every subject and grade level under the current capital plan. Whether your child is learning math, reading, science, a new language, or even fine arts, they have the tools they need to succeed thanks to E-SPLOST funding. New textbooks and updated materials mean our students are learning with the most accurate and engaging resources available.

New Archer Middle School Rendering

Capital Plan and E-SPLOST—Funding the Future for our Students

     As Gwinnett County Public Schools plans the next capital plan, the district adheres to a well-established and  comprehensive process that aligns anticipated resources with identified needs of the district, forecasted over a five-year period. 

     Future plans for the next capital plan will continue the mission of keeping our schools safe, strong, and ready for the future. Planned projects expected to be included in the upcoming capital plan include the modernization of student and staff technology, along with paving, painting, replacement of HVAC and carpet, improvements to cafeterias and playgrounds, upgrades to the athletic facilities, and energy-saving initiatives for both classrooms and stadiums.

     GCPS identifies future capital projects based on anticipated need, using the condition and age of critical building systems and infrastructure as a determinative factor. As our schools and facilities get older, it is important that GCPS prioritizes the regular refresh of our buildings and replacement of our operating systems, so that students can continue to learn in an environment free of distractions.

Play2Learn on the Go

Stay Updated and Informed

     In November 2020, 76.6% of Gwinnett voters chose to keep E-SPLOST going. Thanks to this support, schools across Gwinnett County are getting the improvements they need to help students thrive—better tools, safer schools, and a brighter future. Gwinnett County Public Schools is committed to keeping the community informed about the capital plan and how E-SPLOST funds are used through public meetings, financial reports, and updates on our website at www.gcpsk12.org/capital-plan.

Gwinnett County Voter Information

Who can register and vote in Gwinnett?
To register to vote in Gwinnett County, you must be:

  • A citizen of this state and of the U.S., and a resident of Gwinnett;
  • At least 17 ½ years of age; and
  • At least 18 years old on or before the date of the primary or election in which such person seeks to vote.

Where can I register?

  • Driver’s license offices
  • Public assistance offices
  • Voter Registration and Elections Office
  • All GCPS schools, public libraries, and city halls
  • Online at www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/

     You must be registered 30 days prior to any election to be eligible to vote in that election. If you are already registered and have had a change of name or address, it must be changed 30 days prior to any election.

     Check your registration status, even if you’ve voted before, as there are several special elections in 2025. Visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s website at www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/ to check your registration and upcoming election date. If you can’t locate any information about your voter registration status, contact the Gwinnett County Board of Registrations and Elections office at 678-226-7210. Follow this same procedure if you’ve recently made a change to your name and/or address.

     Updates on the capital plan will be provided through district platforms including our website, newsletters, and board of education meetings. This capital plan update was developed by GCPS for informational purposes only.