The Wilkes County Board of Education, at its meeting on January 20, 2026, unanimously agreed to place an Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (E-SPLOST) referendum on the May 19, 2026, ballot. Advance voting will take place from April 27 through May 15, 2026. The voter registration deadline is April 20, 2026.

If approved by voters, E-SPLOST would allow the Board of Education to continue the current one-percent sales tax and, if necessary, issue general obligation bonds to support capital improvements across the district.

If approved, the new E-SPLOST would begin once the current ESPLOST reaches its authorized cap, ensuring continuity of funding for facility and infrastructure needs without increasing the existing tax rate.