Pulaski County Schools-Hawkinsville, GA

After much thoughtful consideration and evaluation of information available. Pulaski County Schools will close tomorrow, Monday, March 16th.

The weather is being closely monitored by school district staff. Any decisions regarding school schedule changes will be made at the earliest possible time as information becomes available. Continue to monitor this page for any necessary updates or changes.

During School Board Appreciation Week, we recognize the critical role our board members play in setting the vision, ensuring accountability, and supporting student achievement. Their leadership helps guide our district forward, and we are grateful for their continued service to our students and community. 👏

REMINDER

Courtesy Notification to Parents

Dear Parents and Guardians,
Please be advised that tomorrow, Friday, March 6th at 3:20 PM we will be conducting a test of our Lockdown Notification system as part of recent intercom upgrades. Most students will have already been dismissed at that time. However, if any remaining students or parents in the car rider line hear the announcement, please know that this is only a test of the intercom system and not an actual event.

This message is also being broadcast via the REMIND notifications app.

Thank you for your understanding as we ensure our communication systems are working properly.

Courtesy Notification to Parents

Dear Parents and Guardians,
Please be advised that tomorrow, Friday, March 6th at 3:20 PM we will be conducting a test of our Lockdown Notification system as part of recent intercom upgrades. Most students will have already been dismissed at that time. However, if any remaining students or parents in the car rider line hear the announcement, please know that this is only a test of the intercom system and not an actual event.

This message is also being broadcast via the REMIND notifications app.

Thank you for your understanding as we ensure our communication systems are working properly.

ESPLOST TAKES THE BURDEN OFF (PROPERTY) TAXPAYERS
Community to Vote in May on Continuation of Education ESPLOST

This May, local voters will be asked to make an important decision regarding the future of our school system’s funding. On the ballot will be a measure to continue the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) — a one-cent sales tax originally approved by voters in 1997.
It is important for residents to understand exactly what this vote represents. This is not a new tax and it is not an increase in the current sales tax rate. Instead, it is a continuation of the existing one-cent ESPLOST that has been in place in our community for nearly three decades.
The original ESPLOST, approved in 1997, allowed the school district to move forward with critical capital improvements, most notably being the recent construction of the new K–12 school that opened its doors in 2023. That modern facility now serves students across the district, providing updated classrooms, enhanced safety features, improved technology infrastructure, and expanded academic and extracurricular opportunities.
The bonds issued to construct that school are being repaid using revenue generated from the current ESPLOST collections. The sales tax revenue is specifically designated for capital projects and debt service — it cannot be used for general operating expenses such as salaries or daily school operations. By law, ESPLOST funds must be spent on voter-approved purposes, ensuring transparency and accountability.
As the original ESPLOST term nears its expiration, the upcoming vote will determine whether the penny sales tax remains in place to continue paying off the bonds associated with the school construction.
If voters approve the continuation, the funding structure remains the same. The one-cent sales tax stays in effect, bond payments continue to be made from those collections, and there is no change to the current sales tax rate. Importantly, the burden of repayment continues to be shared not only by local residents but also by visitors and anyone making purchases within the county.
However, if the continuation does not pass, the school system will still be legally obligated to repay the outstanding bond debt. Without ESPLOST revenue to make those payments, the district would have limited options. The most likely alternative would be an increase in local property taxes to cover the bond obligations. In other words, the debt does not disappear if the ESPLOST continuation fails. The bonds must be paid.
Continuing the ESPLOST allows repayment to remain tied to consumer spending rather than shifting the responsibility entirely onto local property owners. Sales taxes are broader-based, meaning that shoppers from outside the community contribute to the funding. Property tax increases, by contrast, would fall solely on homeowners and landowners within the district.
School officials emphasize that the continuation would provide financial stability and predictability. Maintaining the existing funding stream allows the district to meet its bond obligations without placing unexpected strain on property owners or disrupting long-term financial planning.
Community leaders also point out that the K–12 school represents a significant investment in the future of local children and in the overall vitality of the area. Strong schools help attract families, support property values, and contribute to economic growth. Ensuring that the debt associated with that investment is managed responsibly remains a top priority.
As Election Day approaches, voters are encouraged to review the facts carefully and understand what the ballot language means. Again, the measure does not create a new tax. It does not increase the sales tax rate. It simply continues the existing one-cent ESPLOST approved in 1997.
Early voting dates and polling location information will be available through the county elections office in the coming weeks. Thank you in advance for your continued support of Pulaski County Schools.

At 6:40 a.m. we were made aware through the GBI’s monitoring of Discord that there was suspicious activity related to a student. The situation was handled swiftly before 7:00 a.m. by the GBI, our local 911, the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, our school resource officer, and the Wilcox County Sheriff's Department. In an abundance of caution, our local law enforcement and Georgia State Patrol Officers were present on campus to reinforce safety and security. The safety of our students and staff is always our utmost priority. We are grateful for the ongoing monitoring of platforms such as Discord and the actions of every agency that helps keep our schools safe.

At Tuesday night’s Board of Education meeting, the School Board officially set the district’s millage rate. We are pleased to share that the Board not only approved a rollback, but a rollback that exceeded the recommended amount, reducing the millage rate from 12.812 to 10.7.
Last year the district made a commitment to educate our community about school funding and the state equalization process, including the significant financial impact that would have occurred had we taken the recommended rollback at that time. Since then, new legislation has been passed that changed the eligibility criteria for equalization funding.
In light of those changes, the Superintendent and the School Board felt it was both responsible and appropriate to adjust the millage rate accordingly. This decision reflects careful consideration of our current financial position and our commitment to being good stewards of taxpayer dollars.
The Board continues to strive for a thoughtful balance between the needs of our schools, staff, and students, while remaining mindful of the impact on our community. We appreciate the continued support and engagement of our stakeholders as we work together to serve our district.

Fan Bus Information to Lincoln County Fan Bus Information to Lincoln County

Congratulations, National Award Winner Lynn Freeman, Pulaski County Special Education Director.
https://www.pulaskicountyschools.org/apps/news/article/2135794

Today, we honor all who have served — especially our own John Christopher Burch, a proud veteran and valued member of our school board. Your service to our nation and continued dedication to our students and community is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your sacrifice and leadership. 🇺🇸