MARION - A vote in favor of a sales tax referendum on Feb. 5 is a vote for the children of Williamson County say the school superintendents of Marion, Herrin, Carterville, Johnston City and Crab Orchard.

The quintet called a press conference Wednesday at the Unit 2 office in Marion to divulge details of the tax referendum and how each district will benefit for years to come should the measure pass by a simple majority vote.

"Our goal here today is to inform the people of this county," said the group's lead spokesman, Tim Bleyer, Carterville superintendent. "We want to provide good, honest information."

Bleyer said the purpose of the tax - a 1-percent increase on sales tax would apply to all purchased items except groceries, state-titled vehicles and prescription drugs - is to allow the five districts to build, equip and finance school facilities.

"By securing the means to locally fund Williamson County school districts' construction and abatement projects, voters will be in the forefront of all counties in Illinois," Bleyer said. "Not only will Williamson County be the flagship in this regard, we will have capitalized upon growth in sales without relying upon property tax increases to build quality educational environments and/or obtain tax relief for all of Williamsoon County residents and children."