School board asks supervisors to place 1% sales tax referendum on November ballot

The Pulaski County School Board voted July 14 to notify the Board of Supervisors that it supports placing a one‑percent local sales‑tax referendum before voters on Nov. 3 to fund the district’s capital needs. Board members said the vote was intended to let voters decide whether to add the surtax, while details about how revenue would be shared and used would be negotiated with the supervisors.

Board discussion included an estimate that a 1% sales tax could generate roughly $5 million a year and that the district’s capital backlog was about $30 million in 2024 dollars. On procedure, one member moved to put the tax question on an action calendar and later moved that the board notify the supervisors of its support. As one board member said, “We’re agreeing to put it on the ballot. No terms.” The board voted by roll call to approve the motion to notify the Board of Supervisors and to support referral to the ballot; the board set no binding allocation terms at this stage and staff said the deadline to submit ballot language is Aug. 14.