Posted by Tanya Arja or Jennifer Holton on 5/10/2023 2:48:00 PM

Contact: Tanya Arja or Jennifer Holton  
                           Hillsborough County Public Schools  
                           Office of Communications 
                           813-272-4060

Tampa, Fl. (May 10, 2023) – Hillsborough County Public Schools will utilize referendum funds on significant projects at fourteen school sites this summer – including six new projects and eight carryover - bringing the total investment so far to nearly $600 million since the referendum passed in 2018.   

The 2023 summer projects total approximately $47.5 million in repairs, renovations and other improvements funded by the halfpenny sales tax. These enhancements will provide students and staff with improved learning environments now and into the future. 

Superintendent Addison Davis, along with School Board Members, members of the Citizen Oversight Committee, and district operations team members toured the construction at Tomlin Middle School with engineers and architects from Wilder Architecture Inc. and CORE/HORUS Construction. Tomlin Middle will receive a new roof, windows, fire alarms, insulation, and HVAC units that serve the classrooms. In addition, fire evacuation improvements will be made, and the auditorium will be refurbished so it can be utilized by students and the Plant City community. From start to finish, the community investment at this school alone is more than $25 million.  

“These infrastructure improvements will have positive impacts on the educational experiences of students for years to come. Our community stepped up for our children to approve this referendum in 2018, and we are proud that the community realizes the importance of these crucial projects and places their trust in our district as we continue to invest these referendum funds in our schools,” said Superintendent Addison Davis. 

Referendum Fast Facts 

  • Hillsborough County Public Schools expects to complete more than 1,700 projects, which includes more than 200 air conditioning units and 60 aging roofs. 

  • More than 46% has been invested into minority, women-owned or small business enterprises.  

  • To date, we have completed 599 projects and currently have 206 projects in progress. 

  • HCPS has received $631,440,590.68 so far from the referendum and invested $558,230,825.04 to date. 

Summer Projects: 

  • Carver Exceptional Center 

  • DeSoto Elementary School 

  • Frost Elementary School 

  • Grady Elementary School 

  • Jennings Middle School  

  • Woodson K-8 School 

The eight carryover projects include: 

  • Burney Elementary 

  • Jackson Elementary 

  • James Elementary School 

  • Madison Middle School 

  • Martinez Middle School 

  • Pierce Middle School 

  • Tomlin Middle School 

  • Wilson Elementary School