Few people realize that Escambia County Public Schools have a half-cent sales tax that the district wants voters to renew for another 10 years. A few pro-tax signs have popped up around town, but not much else has been said.
- However, there is growing pressure in the Black community in opposition to renewal because of the Escambia County School Board’s lack of attention to their neighborhoods.
BUZZ: While the School District has built new schools around the county, it has shuttered several schools in Black neighborhoods since the tax was first implemented in 1997. These are some of the views that have been shared with Inweekly:
- Black children are being warehoused in larger schools.
- From 2002 to 2019, the school district closed or consolidated 19 schools, mostly in the Black neighborhoods.
- There is no middle school in District 3.
- What happened to the $20 million Race to the Top grant that the federal government gave Escambia County to improve middle schools?
- The School District administration is dominated by Tate High School alums and faculty.
- The School District received additional dollars to help educate Exceptional Student Education (ESE) students, but the funds are siphoned away from Black children with special learning needs.
- The Escambia Children’s Trust is picking up the slack on services so the School Board can use its funds for schools in more prosperous neighborhoods.
I’m hearing Black leaders may become more vocal this month as the Nov. 5 election approaches.
Dig Deeper: The half-cent sales tax – the School Capital Outlay Surtax – funds the construction, renovation, and improvement of schools, including land acquisition, design, and engineering costs. If voters approve the renewal, the tax would not take effect until 2028
The Escambia County Public Schools District has a Half-cent Sales Tax Watchdog Committee that reviews financial and capital project data to ensure the tax is used appropriately. The committee consists of 10 members appointed by the Superintendent of Schools.
When the School Capital Outlay Surtax Referendum was renewed in November 2018, the vote was tight, passing by only 910 votes. The tax survived because of overwhelming support in the Black community:
Yes: 62,418 (50.4%)
No: 61,508 (49.3%)
- The tax expires Dec. 31, 2027, if the renewal is not approved in November.
ARGUMENT FOR RENEWAL:
In June, Keith Wasdin, the director of facilities planning for Escambia County Public Schools, wrote a viewpoint that was published by the News Journal: Escambia County Schools half-cent sales tax has transformed district.
“Escambia County Public Schools’ innovative use of the half-cent sales tax has transformed education in the region. From equitable facility improvements to strategic planning and adapting to external challenges, the district has showcased a commitment to providing an environment conducive to learning for every student. As the journey continues, the impact of this funding strategy will resonate for years to come, enhancing the lives of students and education in Escambia County.”
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