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Voters in Marion, Orange counties to fund school construction with sales taxes

Half-cent sales tax measures pass in Marion, Orange

MARION COUNTY, Fla. – Voters in two Central Florida counties on Tuesday night said they wanted to pay a half-cent sales tax to fund repairs, renovations and maintenance costs for public schools.

Voters in Marion County approved a one-cent sales tax for school construction and repair, to retain high-quality teachers, and reduce classroom overcrowding. The amendment passed 59% to 41%.

In Orange County, voters agreed to continue a half-cent sales tax for school construction, reconstruction and improvement.

See the results below.

Marion County School Construction Sales Tax

Referendum for a one-half cent sales surtax for school construction and repair, to retain high-quality teachers, and reduce classroom overcrowding.

Candidate

Votes

%

Yes

121,04359%

No

82,65241%
100% of Precincts Reporting

(106 / 106)

Orange County School Sales Tax Referendum

Referendum to continue the one-half cent sales surtax to fund construction, reconstruction and improvement of school facilities.

Candidate

Votes

%

Yes

367,21572%

No

145,18928%
100% of Precincts Reporting

(259 / 259)

Two News 6 investigations earlier this year exposed the issues facing schools in Marion and Orange counties.

In Marion County, 80% of the maintenance requests are not fixed because the district does not have the $839 million it needs to complete them.

None of the classrooms at East Marion Elementary School have doors. (Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

“It’s not to be overly dramatic, but when you look at the data, the growth and our facilities, when you have about half our facilities are over 50 years old, the cost of maintenance continues to climb,” said Dr. Diane Gullet, superintendent of Marion County Schools.

The State of Florida does not provide funding for school maintenance, and as a result, Gullett said her district is in a crisis.

Now, the Marion County School Board is hoping voters approve a half-cent sales tax to help fund the district’s repairs.

Board members have created a priority list of projects totaling $326 million they would like to get done if the measure is approved.

SCHOOLPROJECTAMOUNT
Ward-Highlands Elementary SchoolNew classroom wing$15 million
Maplewood Elementary SchoolNew classroom wing$15 million
Osceola Middle SchoolDoor installation$2 million
East Marion Elementary SchoolDoor installation$4 million
Belleview Elementary SchoolNew school construction$65 million
Dunnellon Middle/High SchoolNew school construction$150 million
Ft. King Middle SchoolNew classroom wing$15 million
MTIProjects to help students improve$15 million
Ocala Springs Elementary SchoolNew classroom wing$15 million
Sparr Elementary SchoolNew classroom wing and cafeteria$30 million
Amount set aside for other projects$9 million

Voters in Orange County will vote on whether they want to renew the half-cent sales tax that has been funding school maintenance and renovations.

“When you’re a school district as large as ours, it is really a challenge to try and keep up with just the renovation and refurbishment needs of our facilities,” said Rory Salimbene, chief facilities officer for Orange County Public schools.

He showed News 6 around Howard Middle School, which was undergoing a massive renovation funded by the district’s half-cent sales tax.

Peeling paint can be seen inside Howard Middle School's auditorium. (Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

“This is not a sustainable way to maintain and fund schools across the state, to rely on the citizens each time to pass it,” Jacobs said.

A News 6 investigation found out some of the school maintenance money used to come from fees from telephone landlines but when those went away, so did the money. Meantime, lottery dollars now mostly fund secondary education and Bright Futures scholarships.

During a recent school board workshop, Jacobs proposed advocating for the state to pay for school maintenance. News 6 reached out to the Florida Department of Education to see if it would consider this. The agency gave us this statement in an email:

The Florida Department of Education shares your concern for the health, safety and welfare of public school students. In accordance with section (s.) 4(b) of Article IX, Florida Constitution and s. 1001.32, Florida Statutes (F.S.), Florida public school boards are autonomous governmental units that operate, control and supervise all public schools within their respective districts. In addition, s. 1001.42, F.S., requires each local school board to identify its facility needs and provide for the proper maintenance and upkeep of its school facilities. Although staff from the Florida Department of Education are available to provide technical assistance to school districts upon request, it does not administer the day-to-day operation of school facilities. Because the construction and maintenance of facilities are a responsibility of each school district, it follows that the vast majority of funding for these projects are also a local responsibility.

Nathalia Medina, Press Secretary for Florida Department of Education

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About the Author
Erik Sandoval headshot

Erik Sandoval joined the News 6 team as a reporter in May 2013 and became an Investigator in 2020. During his time at News 6, Erik has covered several major stories, including the 2016 Presidential campaign. He was also one of the first reporters live on the air at the Pulse Nightclub shooting.

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