Great news for Lee County Schools! The district has received over $507 million thanks to the voter-approved half-cent sales tax, and every school in the district has seen improvements.
These funds are being used to directly benefit our students and staff in a number of ways:
- New classrooms and schools: Thanks to the tax revenue, 4,767 new student seats have been created, with eight new schools currently under construction and substantial renovations underway at seven existing schools.
- Improved safety: The safety of our students is a top priority. These funds are being used to implement advanced security systems in every school, including weapons detection, improved traffic flow, and enhanced camera surveillance.
- Technology upgrades: To ensure our students have the tools they need to succeed, the district has purchased 22,000 Chromebooks for elementary schools and provided 73,000 Chromebooks for a student refresh program.
The Independent Sales Surtax Oversight Committee is committed to transparency and keeping the community informed. They are actively presenting information about how the tax revenue is being used to community groups like Rotary Clubs.
“We want to share the positive impact of the sales tax with the community,” said Committee Chair Steve Shimp. “While we encounter some who may not support the tax, the overall public reception to our presentations has been very positive.”
The School Board and Superintendent are grateful for the Committee’s work in providing factual information about the tax’s impact.
“This is about the community, not the district,” said Superintendent Dr. Ken Savage. “Our role is to be responsible stewards of these funds and provide clear information to the voters who approved this initiative.”
