ESPLOST VII — Continuing the Tradition of Support for Bremen Students On the November 4, 2025, ballot, voters in the City of Bremen will once again be asked to continue investing in our schools through ESPLOST VII (Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax).
What is ESPLOST VII? Haralson ESPLOST VII (Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) continues the one-cent-on-the-dollar sales tax that has been in place since 1997.
This is not a new tax — it simply extends the existing penny sales tax that everyone who shops in Haralson County helps pay, including visitors to our community.
Since its beginning, Bremen voters have overwhelmingly supported ESPLOST because it is the fairest way to fund capital projects and for our schools — sharing the cost among citizens and visitors instead of placing the responsibility solely on property owners.
How Will ESPLOST VII Funds Be Used? If approved, ESPLOST VII revenues will continue to be used to 1) pay back the debt service on major capital projects already completed for our students, and 2) other capital outlay projects including:
1) Debt Service Payments
- The Bremen High School Gymnasium (Bond Series 2015), and
- The Bremen High School Construction and Campus Improvements (Bond Series 2021).
2) Equipping Jones Elementary and Bremen Academy & Middle School Gymnasiums with HVAC (air conditioning)
- Updating an Aging Bus Fleet (the average age of our fleet is 16.3 years old)
- New Band, Music, and Fine Arts Equipment
- Athletic Safety Equipment
- Architectural Design and Site Work for Preparation of Future Construction at Jones Elementary School
- Parking Lot Repairs & Resurfacing
This responsible approach ensures that the investments already made in our schools are paid for using sales tax dollars shared by everyone, not just Bremen homeowners.
A Record of Fiscal Responsibility: Because of the community's long history of supporting ESPLOST, Bremen City Schools has been able to complete and pay off numerous projects that have improved facilities for all students, staff, and the community, such as:
- Redding Field Stadium Lights
- Safety Equipment and Improvements
- Including Door Access Controls, Jones Elementary Crosswalk, and Security Cameras
- Turfed Surfaces at Academy and Middle School Playground
- Resurfacing of the Eight-Lane Competition Track
- Resurfacing the Community and School
-Use Tennis Courts at Blue Devil Family Park
- Purchase of Copiers at all Schools
- Maintenance Equipment (Vehicle & Lawn Equipment)
- BHS Commons/Annex
- BHS Media Center
- BHS Cafeteria Renovation
- Hamilton-McPherson Fine Arts Center
- JES K-1 Building/Renovations and 2-3 Building/Renovations
- BHS Stadium Renovation
- Bremen Academy/Bremen Middle School
- Blue Devil Family Park
These facilities were made possible through careful financial planning and the ongoing commitment of our community.
Why Your Vote Matters: ESPLOST VII ensures Bremen City Schools can continue to meet its financial obligations responsibly, without raising local property taxes. There is no fairer way to share the load of school funding than by using ESPLOST dollars — because everyone who shops in our community helps support our students.
Stay Informed and Get Involved: Early voting is underway now, and Election Day is Tuesday, November 4, 2025. We invite all citizens to learn more, ask questions, and make informed decisions.
If you'd like to request a presentation for your civic group or organization, or if you have any questions, please reach out to:
Superintendent Shannon Christian
📧 shannon.christian@bremencs.com
📞 770-537-5508
We don't take the tremendous community support for granted, and we want to be as transparent as possible about this process. Please contact me directly with any questions or concerns.
