ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County school leaders on Tuesday voted unanimously to formally send a proposed sales tax extension to the ballot in November.
School leaders said it will help fund the district’s construction needs and renovations for the next 10 years. The special half-cent tax has raised billions since it went into effect in 2002. District leaders warned that if it goes away, some major projects will be at risk.
“I hope that our public understands and that we are able to communicate that because if they do understand, I’m 100% confident the public will support this overwhelmingly,” said board chair Teresa Jacobs.
The district received feedback earlier this year from a survey sent to families, information that will help form the decision.
“Over the course of time, we’ve been really constrained with the amount of money we are getting from the state for capital purposes and the money that we are driving locally,” said Scott Howat, Orange County Public Schools chief communications officer.
Earlier this year, News 6 investigator Erik Sandoval got a tour of Howard Middle School, which was built in 1927.
The auditorium is set to get a facelift with new lighting and seating. The building is also set to get brand new basketball courts and seating areas by next year.
“When you’re a school district as large as ours, it really is a challenge to try and keep up with just the renovation and refurbishment needs of our facilities,” said Rory Salimbene, chief facilities officer for OCPS.
Voters approved the continuation of the half-penny sales tax in 2014, which the district says funded projects at more than 130 schools.
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