The Pasco County School Board has identified how it would spend its share of proceeds from a proposed extension of the Penny for Pasco surtax.
Voters will decide in November if they favor extending the tax. The special 1-cent sales tax initially was adopted in March 2004, and was in effect from Jan. 1, 2005 through Dec. 31, 2014. Voters extended it for 10 years, with that renewal going from Jan. 1, 2015 through Dec. 31, 2024.
Now, voters are being asked for another renewal — this time for 15 years, from Jan. 1, 2025 and Dec. 31, 2039.
The school district, Pasco County and the county’s municipalities share the proceeds, with the school district and county each receiving 45% and the municipalities splitting 10%.
The school board adopted a resolution listing specific projects, as well as spending categories, for the estimated $1 billion that it would receive in additional revenues.
The proposed list includes numerous new schools.
Those new schools on the list include a new elementary in the Bexley development and a K-8 in the Ballantrae area. Both of those developments are off State Road 54, in Central Pasco.
The district is proposing a K-8 in the emerging Central Pasco Employment Village, off State Road 52, west of Interstate 75. Another K-8 is expected in the Village of Pasadena Hills, which is between Wesley Chapel and Dade City.
The district also would use Penny for Pasco funds to add computers in schools, upgrade the district’s computer network, fortify the safety on its campuses, upgrade athletic facilities and improve safety at driver pickup locations at schools, among other things.
The county proposes to spend its portion of the tax revenues this way: 40% for transportation, 20% for economic development, 20% for public safety; and, 20% for environmental lands, as well as park infrastructure.
The chart below is a look at the Pasco School Board’s proposed list of projects, based on a resolution the board approved on May 17.
Proposed Penny for Pasco projects*
SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION
- Gulf Middle School new construction: $67.3 million
- New Elementary School, Bexley area: $43.1 million
- New K-8 School, Central Pasco Employment Village: $97.3 million
- New K-8 School, southwest Land O’ Lakes: $71 million
- West Zephyrhills Elementary new school: $38.4 million
School Complex,Villages of Pasadena Hills: $97.3 million
SCHOOL RENOVATIONS
Calusa Elementary: $8.6 million
Chester W. Taylor Elementary: $20.8 million
Cypress Elementary: $25.3 million
Dr. Mary Giella Elementary School: $20.4 million
Fox Hollow Elementary School: $26 million
J.W. Mitchell High: $35.8 million
Pasco High: $28.6 million
San Antonio Elementary: $33.1 million
Wesley Chapel High School: $35.8 million
River Ridge High: $40.5 million
River Ridge Middle: $43.3 million
Pine View Middle: $38.2 million
ATHLETIC FACILITY RENOVATIONS
• Hudson High: $4.8 million
• J.W. Mitchell High: $1.8 million
• Land O’ Lakes High: $9.4 million
• Pasco High: $10.5 million
• River Ridge High: $9.2 million
• Wesley Chapel High: $1.7 million • Wiregrass Ranch High: $1.8 million • Zephyrhills High: $5.2 million
CAFETERIA RENOVATIONS
• River Ridge High: $5.3 million
• Wesley Chapel High: $2.7 million
DISTRICT-WIDE PROJECTS
• Furniture replacement: $40.2 million
• Replacement of physical education equipment: $4.4 million
• Early Childhood Literacy Center: $2 million
• Energy Marine Center: $17.8 million
• Increase in student computers/devices: $45 million • Network infrastructure: $29 million
• School Safety & Security Equipment: $33 million
• School Safety & Security Hardening: $16.5 million • School Traffic Improvements: $11 million
• Transportation Depot – Alternative Energy: $14 million
* Figures are rounded
Source: Pasco County Schools
Published on June 8, 2022.
