Schools were bursting at the seams in 1997 when Hall County voters said "yes" to the first sales tax to fund education.

"We were growing at 800 to 1,000 students each year and running out of space," Hall County school board member Nath Morris said.

A healthy economy and a spotlight on the community, thanks to the 1996 Summer Olympics, were two factors likely drawing people to the area.

"The economy was booming; a lot of industry was locating here," Gainesville City Schools Superintendent Merrianne Dyer said. "And we heard there would be a surge in people moving here following the Olympics."

Over the next 14 years, special purpose local option sales tax dollars helped build 14 new schools. And as the five-year tax was renewed in 2001 and 2006 it became the leading source of funding for school construction, replacing bonds paid for by property taxes.

Some of the first SPLOST money used in the Gainesville system went toward constructing a new main building and gymnasium for Gainesville High School in 2000.

Over the years, the money also funded two new elementary schools, New Holland and Gainesville, as well as a new Gainesville Middle School.

The larger Hall County system used SPLOST funds to build four elementary schools, two middle schools, three high schools and an innovative secondary school, Lanier Career Academy.

The money also improved classroom technology, Morris said.

"We've been able to add computers to classrooms, projectors and video conferencing," he said. "There is zero funding for technology in the (Quality Basic Education) funding program."

On March 15, voters will be asked once again to approve SPLOST for education. SPLOST III expires in 2013.

While enrollment figures have slowed, officials say SPLOST IV is needed to repair aging facilities, many of which are more than 40 years old.

The tax is expected to generate about $130 million over five years. Gainesville would collect about $25.5 million and Hall County $100 million, a division based on enrollment figures. Buford City Schools negotiated a share of about $3.8 million.

Hall County is planning significant renovations costing more than $50 million, including replacing electrical systems, roofs and heating and air conditioning units.

Gainesville plans to rebuild Fair Street International Baccalaureate World School, built in 1937. Building inspectors recommended students should only be housed in the facility for two more years before the needs must be addressed.

Renovations also would be planned for Enota Multiple Intelligences Academy and Woods Mill Academy.

Both systems also plan to use a portion of the funds to reduce principal and interest on outstanding bonds and purchase school buses and library books.

Early voting on the SPLOST continues through March 11 at the Hall County Elections Office on Browns Bridge Road. Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 15.