Post-Election

The ½ Penny for Schools Sales Tax did not pass with 45.24% voting “For” and 54.76% voting “Against”.  I want to thank the many, many people who worked so hard to share about the real need for this funding to replace the great reduction in capital educational funding.  Just today The Tampa Bay Times shared an article on how Citrus County Schools is not alone in the challenges for funding educational capital needs. (see story: https://t.co/xeIy2fKI6C)

Why this school referendum didn’t pass can be attributed to several things, but doesn’t change the fact that in the end not enough voters supported replacing the funding. I am frustrated by those that shared misinformation or perpetuated misinformation about the referendum and the great funding needs we have, along with the enormous reduction in educational funding. Their actions will result in a negative impact on our students and schools.

I cannot put this gently—this is going to be a difficult road ahead. We will find a way through this, but not without having to make even further reductions.  Over the coming weeks and months, the superintendent and the school board will continue refining our 1-3-5-10 year capital improvement plans.  Even after refining our capital needs and funding we will have to now turn to our general fund to meet our capital funding needs.

I must be frank that we will be having to make some very tough decisions. The challenge lies in how we balance meeting educational requirements, new and future state mandates, provide raises for employees, address growing maintenance/construction needs, while all the while trying to lessen the impact felt in the classroom and on our students.  In the past the superintendent and school board have been able to minimize the effects in the classroom and have tried to not reduce services.  I am not sure that will be possible unless something drastically changes. We have far too many needs and mandated requirements compared with the funding we receive.

We will continue to advocate for the needs of our students and classrooms. We will always be putting students first in the decisions we make.  They are the sole reason our schools exist.  We have a responsibility to not fail them.  I have much confidence in our superintendent and school board and our local educational leaders making the best decisions for our students’ and schools’ future.

Please continue to share with those that will listen the true challenges associated with the loss of educational funding. Support those who are in office who support our students and schools.  Use your power as voters to elect those that support our students and schools.  Lastly we must continue to speak out and communicate to our elected state leaders that their educational reform movement of mandated over-testing and underfunding to our students and schools must stop!

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