Referendum Results
How the half-penny sales tax is improving our schools!
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A MESSAGE FROM OUR SUPERINTENDENT
The Education Referendum has been an integral part of our district’s quest to create the ideal learning environment for students in Hillsborough County Public Schools. When our community voted for this measure, we promised to utilize referendum funds exclusively to maintain facilities, thus ensuring children thrive in the right learning conditions which contribute to positive educational outcomes.
Hillsborough County Public Schools expects to complete more than 1,700 projects over the next decade, including more than 200 air conditioning units and 60 aging roofs. We anticipate investing $23 million in upgrading safety and security systems while providing state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. To provide a competitive and robust educational experience, we budgeted $25 million from our existing referendum to new classroom technology — preparing students for college and tomorrow's workforce. This could not have occurred without steadfast support from our entire community.
Our district has worked diligently to communicate these efforts in the spirit of transparency as our stakeholders have entrusted us with a tremendous responsibility to remain fiscally responsible. I am deeply appreciative of the independent Citizen Oversight Committee which has been committed to reviewing all spending as we plan and complete projects. The committee includes members with a wide range of political, geographic, ethnic, and professional backgrounds who selflessly give their time to help our youth.
Despite a global pandemic, these crucial projects have been consistently prioritized and completed during the past two years. I want to thank the community for approving the referendum which will have a lasting impact on our learners for years to come.
Referendum dollars are used exclusively toward capital projects. These funds cannot be utilized for salary increases for our dedicated teachers and other staff members or to bolster classroom resources. Unfortunately, education funding has remained largely stagnant over the last decade in the state of Florida. We must collectively identify alternative revenue streams to support this district’s dedication toward improving working conditions for teachers and staff and providing innovative academic experiences for all learners.
Ensuring proper funding for our schools does not only impact students, teachers, and parents, it has wide-ranging effects on the fabric of our community. The work has only begun, and we remain dedicated to finding sustainable funding sources to ensure our students succeed. Together, we will Accelerate Hillsborough.
Respectfully,
Addison G. Davis, Superintendent of Schools
Background on the Education Referendum
It all started in 2018 when district leaders educated voters in Hillsborough County about the benefits of a half-penny sales tax Education Referendum. In November 2018, voters showed up in force and approved the Education Referendum, a half-penny sales tax.
The money is spent solely on improving our facilities and other capital projects in our schools - replacing air conditioning units, improving old roofs, enhancing security systems, and repaving parking lots, among other necessary projects.
The district remains committed to spending at least $500,000 at every school and we are proudly well on the way to fulfilling that promise.
The half-penny sales tax was estimated to raise approximately $121-131 million per year for ten years, but projections appear to be higher than anticipated. Much of that will be generated by the many visitors that come to the Tampa Bay area, but all of it will benefit students in Hillsborough County.
Once the referendum passed, a Citizen Oversight Committee was assembled to oversee the spending, progress, and completion of school improvement projects and work began.
Throughout the school year, we have smaller referendum projects that take place and does not interrupt student learning. Our major A/C replacements are massive projects requiring crews come into schools to tear out classroom ceilings to replace ductwork, use cranes to lift chiller units, and have numerous workers on-site at one time. Because of that, the work can only be done during the summer, when schools are closed.
Revenue from a half-penny sales tax can only be used on capital expenses, which includes repairs, maintenance, technology, and security.
Those specific projects include:
- Replacing or overhauling air conditioners
- Fixing leaky roofs
- Exterior and interior painting
- Upgrading safety and security systems
- Providing state-of-the-art equipment
- New classroom technology
Aside from our referendum projects, the district’s normal repair and maintenance projects are funded through existing property tax millage. Our district will continue to receive this millage money and will direct it to regular repairs and upgrades.
The referendum funding provides a new source of revenue, accelerating projects that otherwise would not have been tackled for many years or may not have been completed at all.
Citizen Oversight Committee
Working together to provide clear and transparent referendum information to the families of Hillsborough County, the Citizen Oversight Committee oversees the spending on school improvement projects funded by the sales tax funds we receive each month thanks to the passing of the Education Referendum.
The committee, made up of an impressive group with a longstanding commitment to the children and families of Hillsborough County, reviews the spending, progress, and completion of all spending related to funds generated by the half-penny sales. Over this ten-year referendum timeframe, we address essential district needs, including air conditioning, aging roofs, classroom technology, and safety and security improvements.
The committee meets monthly to discuss project updates and finances.
The next meeting will be held on Friday, May 27.
Citizen Oversight Committee Members:
Betty Castor, MEd, Chair
Sheriff Chad Chronister, Vice Chair
Bonnie Carr, Retired CPA
Rick Lott, Plant City Mayor
Ed Narain, MBA, JD
Jose Valiente, CPA
Robert Bhoolai, Principal, Robinson High School
We have invested more than $355 million into our schools
Since our first check came in April of 2019, which was a $9 million check from January’s sales tax collections we have invested more than $318 million into our schools.
To date, we have invested more than $335 million into our schools.
When the Education Referendum passed in 2018, we forecasted to bring in 120-130 million per year. Fast forward to 2021, we received a little more than $160 million.
We have completed 444 projects and 114 projects are in progress improving our schools.
Last summer we completed 14 major summer projects, investing $73 million into our schools.
What's Next?
Major summer 2022 projects are being finalized and we are looking ahead to secure design and build professionals for our 2023 projects
The architect/engineer teams have been selected for the next ten major projects expected to start during the summer of 2022. Those projects are slated at the following schools:
- Ballast Point Elementary School
- Brooker Elementary School
- Chiles Elementary School
- Ippolito Elementary School
- Jackson Elementary School
- Madison Middle School
- Martinez Middle School
- Pierce Middle School
- Tomlin Middle School
- Wilson Elementary School
The selection process for these ten schools has concluded for both the design and construction management companies and contracts are being finalized. In addition, there are also 14 other significant projects being planned throughout the remainder of this year and into next summer, which include partial or complete A/C replacements. The schools included in those projects are:
- Alexander Elementary School
- Broward Elementary School
- Bryant Elementary School
- Buchanan Middle School
- Cimino Elementary School
- James Elementary School
- Lopez Elementary School
- Rampello K-8 School
- Robles Elementary School
- Sulphur Springs K-8 School
- Symmes Elementary School
- Tampa Bay Boulevard Elementary School
- Wilson Middle School
- Witter Elementary School
Additional scopes of work are being reviewed at the schools listed above, beyond the A/C work.
There are 28 total projects proposed, including four carryover projects at
- Freedom High School
- Liberty Middle School
- Morgan Woods Elementary School
- Farnell Middle School
Phase 2 at these four schools listed above will be completed by the summer of 2022.
The overall budget for these referendum-funded projects is estimated to be $86,047,184.
We are also looking ahead to summer 2023 projects, getting a selection committee together to hire professionals who can get the job done in a timely and cost-effective manner, with plans to hire those design professionals and construction teams by March. Up to 30 major projects are in the works for 2023, ten of which will take place in our Transformation Network Schools (schools with the highest level of support needed).
Major Projects Completed Last Summer
“Certainly without that referendum, big projects like these would be almost impossible to do, so we are very grateful to our greater Hillsborough County community for passing the referendum in order for our schools to receive these necessary upgrades. - Principal Cronin, Pizzo K-8 School
Pizzo K-8 School upgrades
The elementary building received new air handlers, mechanical equipment, fire alarm systems, and a brand new generator.
After a trying year for everyone, Barr & Barr Construction is thrilled to be awarded this referendum work. All of their subcontractors are local, so they are thankful to keep local residents working during this time.
Much of the prep work took place in the evening to get some work completed ahead of time so that when school was dismissed on the last day, crews could hit the ground running. Their goal is to get everything done, up and running so that students and staff never even know they were there.
Referendum projects completed at Chamberlain High School
JE Dunn construction crews replaced the campus’s HVAC system and installed new intercom systems and phone lines.
If you walk through the halls of Chamberlain, skylights provide natural lighting, but the old chiller system simply was not able to keep up with the heat of the day thanks to all of that Florida sunlight.
This new air conditioning system is more efficient, and the air will be cleaner, with new technology - an ultraviolet filtration system.
Opportunities for small, local, and minority owned businesses
Not only is the Referendum a game-changer for improving the learning environment for students, but it also opens doors for small, local, and minority-owned businesses to secure job opportunities.
For the first time in the district, three small, local and minority-owned businesses worked on a major 2 million dollar air conditioning replacement project at Kenly Elementary School.
It's a real win-win for the school and the companies involved. More than 55% is invested in minority, women-owned or small business enterprises. Our district uses 9% more minority-owned businesses than others in the area.
More than 55% has been invested into minority, women-owned or small business enterprises:
Media Center Refresh
Hillsborough County Public Schools is fortunate to be able to provide Equity Refreshes to the Media Centers at 44 Transformation Network schools.
As growth and new construction continue in our county, more than $22 million in capital funds have been set aside to allow for upgrades to technology and facilities in these schools. Over the next seven years, a subset of these schools will be refreshed each year allowing for enhancements to the furniture and equipment in these spaces.
Working with Meteor Education, the district Operations team is leading this project by collaborating with each school site and Academic Services to develop welcoming, high-impact learning environments at these schools.
The hope is that the refreshed Media Centers will create a hub of learning and engagement for both students and staff at these sites. Through these upgrades, we want to ensure that the opportunities and outcomes at these schools remain an area of focus for the district.
Phase 1 of the Equity Refresh project is underway with six schools slated to have their refreshes completed this summer. These schools include Cleveland Elementary, James Elementary, Miles Elementary, Thonotosassa Elementary, Broward Elementary, and Giunta Middle School.
“We are so excited to be able to do these Equity Refreshes for our Transformation Network schools. There has been so much excitement involved in planning these projects, and we can’t wait to see the results. At the end of the day, the impact of this work will be seen in the experiences of our students and employees. When we are able to tap into resources that make our schools more modern, welcoming, and dynamic, everyone wins.” - Patti Simmons, Operational Effectiveness Manager HCPS
Your Tax Dollars are Going Right Back into our Hillsborough County Public Schools
Aside from completing major air conditioning and roof replacement projects in our schools each year, referendum dollars are also allocated to replace playgrounds, repave tracks and parking lots, and complete interior/exterior painting.
The following completed projects aesthetically enhance our schools, greatly improve physical activity opportunities and provide enhanced safety features for our students.
Playgrounds
Alafia Elementary School
Alexander Elementary School
Alonso High School
Anderson Elementary School
Apollo Beach Elementary School
Ballast Point Elementary School
Bellamy Elementary School
Boyette Springs Elementary School
Brooker Elementary School
Broward Elementary School
Buckhorn Elementary School
Burney Elementary School
Crestwood Elementary School
Claywell Elementary School
Cannella Elementary School
Carrollwood Elementary School
Dickenson Elementary School
Essrig Elementary School
Folsom Elementary School
Foster Elementary School
Graham Elementary School
Gorrie Elementary School
Ippolito Elementary School
King High School
Lake Magdalene Elementary School
Lewis Elementary School
Lithia Springs Elementary School
Lockhart Elementary School
Mango Elementary School
McDonald Elementary School
Mort Elementary School, Community Partnership School
Northwest Elementary School
Pinecrest Elementary School
Potter Elementary School
Riverhills Elementary School
Sessums Elementary School
Seminole Heights Elementary School
Shaw Elementary School
Sickles High School
Symmes Elementary School
Tampa Bay Boulevard Elementary School
Twin Lakes Elementary School
West Tampa Elementary School
Wilson Elementary School
Yates Elementary School
Outdoor Play Court Replacements
Adams Middle School
Boyette Elementary School
Chamberlain High School
Chiaramonte Elementary School
Coleman Middle School
Cypress Creek Elementary School
Dickenson Elementary School
Dunbar Elementary Magnet School
East Bay High School
Greco Middle School, (IB Candidate School)
Hill Middle School
Jackson Elementary School
James Elementary School
Lanier Elementary School
Martinez Middle School
Palm River Elementary School
Seffner Elementary School
Seminole Heights Elementary School
Sessums Elementary School
West Shore Elementary School
West Tampa Elementary School
Woodbridge Elementary School
Repaved Tracks
Alonso High School
Armwood High School
Benito Middle School
Dowdell Middle School
Davidsen Middle School Center for the Arts
Farnell Middle School
Greco Middle School
Hill Middle School
Jefferson High School
King High School
Lennard High School
Leto High School
Mann Middle School
Plant High School
Sickles High School
Repaved Parking Lots
Alexander Elementary School
Ballast Point Elementary School
Booker T. Washington Elementary School
DeSoto Elementary School
Dunbar Elementary School
Gibsonton Elementary School
Graham Elementary School
Kenly Elementary School
Forest Hills Elementary School
Lincoln Elementary Magnet School (IB)
MacFarlane Elementary Magnet School (IB)
Mann Middle School
McLane Middle School
Mendenhall Elementary School
Mitchell Elementary School
Mort Elementary School
Pierce Middle School
Pinecrest Elementary School
Ruskin Elementary School
Shaw Elementary School
Shore Elementary Magnet School
Sligh Middle Magnet School
Thonotosassa Elementary School
Valrico Elementary School
West Shore Elementary School
Wilson Elementary School
Interior & Exterior Painting
Armwood High School
Ballast Point Elementary
Bellamy Elementary School
Brandon High School
Bryant Elementary School
Buchanan Elementary School
Carrollwood Elementary School
Cleveland Elementary School
Cypress Creek Elementary School
Davis Elementary School
Dickenson Elementary School
Dover Elementary School
Dunbar Elementary School
Durant High School
Eisenhower Middle School
Ferrell Middle Magnet School
Foster Elementary School
Franklin Middle Magnet School
Gibsonton Elementary School
Graham Elementary School
Hammond Elementary School
King High School
LaVoy Exceptional Center
Lithia Springs Elementary School
Lopez Elementary School
McDonald Elementary School
McLane Middle School
Mitchell Elementary School
Morgan Woods Elementary School
Newsome High School
Oak Grove Elementary School
Pierce Middle School
Riverwalk STEM Academy at Just Elementary School
Sickles High School
Sligh Middle Magnet School
Stewart Middle Magnet School
Tomlin Middle School
Twin Lakes Elementary School
Orange Grove Middle Magnet School of the Arts
Walker Middle Magnet School (IB)
Webb Middle School
Willis Peters Exceptional Center
Westchase Elementary School
Fire Alarm Control Panel Replacement & Flooring
Adams Middle School
Alonso High School
Ballast Point Elementary School
Bevis Elementary School
Blake High School
Buchanan Middle School
Burney Elementary School
Edison Elementary School
Gibsonton Elementary School
LaVoy Exceptional Center
Leto High School
Liberty Middle School
Pizzo K-8 School
Riverhills Elementary School
Webb Middle School
Woodson K-8 Leadership Academy
Athletic Facility Upgrades at Chamberlain High School
Aside from the recently completed A/C overhaul and intercom system upgrades, some major changes are coming to Chamberlain High school this year, thanks to the taxpayers of Hillsborough County. This month, renovations began to update John Adcock Stadium, Doug Aplin Gymnasium, and several other facilities. The improvements are expected to be completed in August 2022, including new turf!
Scoreboard Upgrade
The total investment is close to $12,000,000, with the goal of advertising sponsorships significantly offsetting the costs over the next five years.
Next up? We have begun the prep work for the installation of our 28 stadium scoreboards.
Media Coverage
Check out $10 million invested into Leto High School
Partical HVAC replacement
Aging roof replacement
Intercom system, fire alarm and security system
Hillsborough County Public Schools
Email: newsletter@sdhc.k12.fl.us
Website: HillsboroughSchools.org
Location: 901 East Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, FL, USA
Phone: 813-272-4000
Facebook: facebook.com/HillsboroughSch
Twitter: @HillsboroughSch