ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – One week after the St. Johns County Commission voted down a one-cent sales tax proposal to fund the sheriff's office, fire department and libraries, the School Board passed a half-cent sales tax hike specifically to fund new schools.
The tax increase still has to go before the County Commission to decide if it will go onto a ballot, likely in November.
There are currently about 35,000 students in St. John's County in 32 public schools, but the county is quickly growing. In 10 years, the county expects to serve 49,000 students. That will require 20 new schools over the next decade.
A half-cent sales tax is expected to generate an additional $11 million annual something School Board Chairwoman Beverly Sloughs said the district needs in order to keep students out of relocatable buildings into permanent classrooms.
"Our need is such that it can't be delayed. When children come to school, we have to have a seat for them. More kids are finding themselves in relocatable classrooms," said Slough. She adds that she's not sure where they will get the money if the half-cent sales tax increase doesn't pass.
The chairwoman of the school board said the county desperately needs this extra money.
St. John's County is the second fastest growing county in Florida and of the fastest growing in the nation. The state's top ranked school district is a big draw.
"These are the best schools, these are the reasons why so many of us moved here," Kim Kendall said.
"Because of the huge growth in student population we find ourselves behind in construction and therefore parents are noticing that two brand new schools that opened less than a year ago are currently having 18 and 20 relocatable classrooms," said Slough. "Daily, people tell me, 'I moved here for the schools.'"
It may explain the passion that echoed through the speakers as people got up explaining how they'd like to see the school board act when it comes to keeping that status.
"I want to keep it real simple. We must put our children first. Real patriots always put the children first," said Tom Reynolds.
"I don't want to see my grandchildren, your children, anyone's children to suffer for not having the right facilities," Jimmy Lee said.
The measure passed 5-0, allowing the county commission to decide whether it will be put on a ballot during the special election this November. Kendall said while she doesn't support a tax increase she is OK with letting the voters decide. She would have liked to see the vote sooner, but holding a special election would cost taxpayers $200,000.
"We have passed three elections in the last seven months: one in November, one in January and April that wouldn't have cost us anything," Kendall said.
But Slough said if they wait until March, they wouldn't receive any money until 2017. She also said the school board waited to see what would come of the county's one-cent tax increase proposal.
"We were trying to be good neighbors, then we had the experiential growth last year, we weren't expecting that much growth. Our need and our critical need became very evident to us. That's why we're moving forward with the special election."
The county commission will meet later this month to decide if this will be placed on a special election ballot for November.