MARION COUNTY, Fla. – Marion County School Board members on Thursday are discussing which schools need help the most as they look ahead to the November election, when voters could help fund those projects.
The Marion County School Board and the Marion County Board of County Commissioners approved a half-cent sales tax measure on the ballot.
If approved, money generated by the tax would help fund maintenance costs for Marion County’s schools.
A News 6 investigation earlier this year found MCPS had $840 million in unfunded school maintenance projects.
Some district leaders estimate it would be cheaper to tear some schools down and build new ones.
“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.
On Thursday, the board was expected to start prioritizing maintenance projects.
According to a list of proposed priorities compiled by School Board member Allison Campbell, some of the projects could start as early as next year.
She proposes spending $14 million to remove portables at Ward Highlands Elementary School and build new classrooms to provide adequate space with restrooms; spending $10 million to build a new football stadium at Vanguard High School and sell Booster Stadium to the city; and install doors on classrooms at Osceola Middle School and East Marion Elementary School for an estimated cost of $4 million.
News 6 showed what the inside of East Marion Elementary School looked like, with teachers in an “open concept,” where there are no walls or doors.
The walls and doors would help bring the schools into state compliance of a new school safety law.
School Board member Sarah James proposed a plan that carries a $350 million price tag. Her plan includes replacing Sparr Elementary School, Belleview Elementary School, and Dunnellon High School.
Other proposals include more classrooms to be built at other campus locations throughout the county.
Nothing is expected to be decided during Thursday’s workshop.
Voters will decide on the half-cent sales tax on Nov. 5.
