Better Buildings
Benefit Everyone in
Columbia County, Florida
Vote Yes for the November Referendum for School Facilities.
Investing in our Community, One Student at a Time.
Renovate Schools
Columbia County has some of the oldest schools in the state.
Address School Safety
There have been 27 school shootings in the first 8 months of 2022.
Improve Technology
Enhanced technology improves student learning and improved efficiency.
Help be a part of the solution. Invest in our children.
Your funds will be used to directly educate and inform the voters of Columbia County on the importance of passing the half cent sales tax referendum.
Why pursue a 1/2 cent surtax?
Sales tax is a FAIR tax because everyone pays. Estimated 30% will come from tourists!
What happens if we don't pass the surtax?
Raise Property Taxes
Only Burdens home-owners.
Assess Impact Fees
Only Burdens Business Owners.
Why not ask the state for help?
- Lengthy Process: 3 – 5 Year application period.
- Elaborate Political Process: Florida Senate and House of Representatives and the Governor must all approve the funding 2 years in a row after the 3 to 5 year application period.
- We Can’t Afford It: We would have to give 2/3 of Columbia County’s School District Maintenance Budget for three years – which would total $9.9 million dollars. This would leave only $1.5 million dollars annually of an already lacking budget to repair and maintain the 14 schools we currently have.
- Less Impact: Only one school can be built with this fund.
- Forfeit Local Control: The State has deciding factors over the design and functionality of the school.
Why Half Penny?
Why Now?
Columbia County schools will ask voters on Nov. 8 for a half-penny sales tax to rebuild and renovate schools and add safety and technology resources.
The Timing Is Right
While there is no good time to ask voters for a tax increase, now is the right time for schools. Experienced facility planners looked deeply into current and projected needs over the next 20 years and by passing the tax now, the district has the option of securing bonds for immediate needs and planning the future with a known income source. Further delays will continue the inefficiency of maintaining out-dated schools and failing to make necessary repairs and
renovations.
Newer Schools Boost Learning, Safety, and Jobs
Columbia County Has Some Of The Oldest Schools In The State
Consolidating four old schools into two new schools saves operating costs, enhances learning and adds safety features.
A quality education system has a direct impact on economic development and jobs.
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Our children deserve better, and it’s up to us to make it happen.
Newer Schools Boost Learning, Safety, and Jobs
Columbia County Has Some Of The Oldest Schools In The State
Consolidating four old schools into two new schools saves operating costs, enhances learning and adds safety features.
A quality education system has a direct impact on economic development and jobs.
0 Years
0 Years
0 Years
0 Years
Our children deserve better, and it’s up to us to make it happen.
What Does It Cost?
Maximum amount is $25.00 per $5,000.00 purchase.
Lets put this 1/2 of a penny into prospective.
PER
Maximum amount is $25.00 per $5,000.00 purchase.
Safety & Technology
What it means for our schools
The half cent sales tax would allow the district to eliminate the need for portables and enhance the learning environment of our students and the working conditions of our teachers and staff.
Essential upgrades and enhancements to technology infrastructure and equipment to help prepare our students for jobs of the 21st century
Safety improvements which enhance existing measures to provide for our security of our students
From our community
Continued support from members of the community. See what just a few of them have to say!
Columbia County School Board Member - District 3
I look at the half-cent sales tax as an investment in our future. Replacing aging infrastructure would help us in our aim to deliver a quality education. The whole community benefits when students are well-educated and ready for the work force. The steady stream of tourists passing through our county would help us pay for needed improvements.
Business Owner and Father of 2 in the Columbia County School District
When I found out we were paying this exact tax in many surrounding counties that we frequent, I knew this is something we had to support. Our children deserve new and safer schools as much as the students in Alachua, Duval, And Leon counties do. This is more of an investment in our future than a tax.
Business Owner and Father to Be
When it comes to supporting our future, investing in our children, where they learn and what technology they learn with is paramount. .50 for every $100 I spend to support our youth is a no-brainer.
Former Niblack Elementary Student
In September 1958, I walked into my first-grade class at Niblack Elementary School. Sixty-four years later, that classroom has changed very little. Since 1958, the world around us has made many advances. It troubles me to see how we, as a community, have failed to make substance investments on our most valuable resources, our children.
Mom of two school age children
I support the half cent sales tax. It’s a small investment that has a positive lifelong impact on our schools and community by helping to make them safer and more effective in teaching our students today, which in turn produces more productive adults in our community tomorrow.
Mom
As a mom of three, I want to continue to enhance the educational experience for all children by supporting the half cent sales tax. The funds generated from the half cent sales tax would support much needed improvements such as: Instructional Technology, Safety & Security and Advancement opportunities. I'm excited about the future opportunities this project will bring to our community.
