ORLANDO, Fla. – Leaders with Orange County Public Schools are pushing for a continuation of a half-cent sales tax to fund the district’s construction needs and renovations for the next 10 years.
During the 2024 State of the Schools address on Monday, OCPS Superintendent Maria Vazquez said it’s critical for the sales tax to continue.
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“That half-penny has been able to fund new schools and all of the renovations so our facilities are safe and state-of-the-art,” Vazquez said.
In 2014, voters approved the continuation of the half-penny sales tax, which the district said funded projects at more than 130 schools.
“In terms of facilities, that is the only solution,” School Board Chair Teresa Jacobs said. “That’s one of those areas that this state is not funding the way they used to and especially for a high-growth county like Orange County.”
According to OCPS, if the revenue isn’t extended, building program needs will exceed projected revenues by more than $4 billion through 2035.
The district said revenues from the tax have funded the OCPS Capital Renewal Program since 2014 to replace systems, including air conditioning and roofing.
“(It’s) the only way that we can keep the air conditioning on, that we can keep the roofs on. The only way we can is at the mercy and support of the public with this half-penny sales tax. That’s how serious it is,” Jacobs said.
OCPS has further details about the facilities sales tax at .ocps.net.