Over $742 Million Dollars Invested in our Schools since 2018

Background on the Half-Penny Sales Tax Referendum

  • playground upgradesIn November 2018, voters in Hillsborough County overwhelmingly approved a half-penny sales tax to improve facilities across the school district.

    The money would go solely to improving the facilities and other capital projects in our schools including replacing air conditioning units, improving old roofs, enhancing security systems, and repaving parking lots, among other necessary projects.

    In proposing the half-penny sales tax, district leaders committed to spending at least $500,000 at every school. We are proudly well on the way to fulfilling that commitment.

    The half-penny sales tax is estimated to raise approximately $121-$131 million per year for ten years - much of that generated by the many visitors that come to the Tampa Bay area, but all of it will benefit students in Hillsborough County.

    Once the half-penny sales tax passed, the school district created a Citizen Oversight Committee to oversee the spending and completion of the school improvement projects. The committee meets monthly to oversee and discuss the school improvement projects funded by the Half-Penny Sales Tax.

Fast Facts

  • The funds the school district receives from the Half-Penny Sales Tax is spent on specific projects to improve our public schools. 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 playgrounds
    • New classroom technology
    • Improving recreational tracks and fields

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Project Updates

  • Since our first round of funds arrived in April of 2019, we have completed more than 754 construction projects at our schools.

    During the summer of 2024, our operations department will oversee 14 major construction projects. $84.9 million in HVAC repair or replacement at 14 of our schools, and an additional $16.9 million in additional maintenance projects and repairs at our schools and facilities including: new playgrounds, track repairs, kitchen and cafeteria improvements, painting, window replacements, and modernization of school elevators.

    As of April 2024, we have invested more than $742 million into our schools, with $295 million awarded to local businesses; 37% awarded to minority-owned businesses; 39% to minority women-owned businesses; and 19.8% to women-owned businesses. As a result, our district uses more minority-owned businesses than other districts in the area.

    These infrastructure improvements would not be possible without support from our community and the taxpayers of Hillsborough County. We thank you for realizing the importance of these essential projects and the positive impacts these project completions have on the teaching and learning environment in our schools.

Half-Penny Sales Tax Referendum Update