News

Hillsborough Made A Promise To Its Schools, Now We Must Keep It

HEF President and CEO Anna Corman on what the Half-Penny Promise has built since 2018, and why Referendum 3 keeps it going.

Creative Loafing Recommends YES on the Half-Penny Promise renewal

Creative Loafing Tampa Bay recommends a YES vote on Referendum No. 3 in its 2026 general election voting guide.

Hillsborough County Council PTA/PTSA Endorses Referendum 3

Drawing on what local PTA units hear from families, President Quan Remmer recalls the leaking roofs and failing A/C before 2018 and why that progress is worth protecting.

Endorsement from the South Tampa Chamber

Chamber President Kelly Flannery makes the business case: more than $800 million in projects awarded to local companies, plus safe, modern schools that attract families and employers.

Hillsborough’s 3 major ballot questions. How to vote Recommendation

The Tampa Bay Times recommends voting yes on Referendum 3 alongside two other Hillsborough ballot questions, on electing the superintendent and expanding the county commission.

School District Asks For Support Ahead Of Half-Penny Tax Vote

A plain-language look at how Referendum 3 appears on the ballot, what a yes or no vote means, and the roughly $8-a-month household cost.

Hillsborough Half-Penny Promise to be discussed in a community town hall on Thursday

A short video report from 10 Tampa Bay previewing one of the district's community sessions on the referendum.

Voters to decide fate of Half-Penny Promise Referendum that’s already poured $1.5 billion into Hillsborough campuses

What the tax has meant for Plant City schools, from a $25 million overhaul at Tomlin Middle to new A/C and fencing at 100-year-old Bryan Elementary.

Hillsborough County Public Schools makes case for renewing half-penny tax

Deputy Superintendent Chris Farkas explains why renewal timing matters for planning, alongside 208 completed safety projects and what the average household would pay each year.

Hillsborough Schools holding sales tax town halls ahead of November election

Superintendent Van Ayres explains what residents will get from the sessions. The story also lists every in-person and virtual meeting from now through mid-October.

Why the ‘Half-Penny Promise’ Matters for the Future of Hillsborough County

A look at the broader economic case, including how visitors help pay for local school repairs and why capital costs largely fall on districts.

Hillsborough voters to decide whether to renew half-cent sales tax for school repairs

Voices from the Newsome High town hall, where residents asked how the money has been spent and an oversight committee member pointed to 1,700 projects still ahead.

Hillsborough schools outline half-penny tax projects before November vote

The Citizen Oversight Committee's chair, Jose Valiente, explains why he backs renewal, and the deputy superintendent answers a resident asking why the tax is still needed.

Watch the Half-Penny Promise Virtual Town Hall

Deputy Superintendent Chris Farkas walks through what the tax has funded since 2018, what still needs work, and why timing matters, plus questions from residents.

Hillsborough schools hold town halls ahead of half-penny sales tax vote

Blake DeVine covers what the tax has funded since 2018, from A/C to security upgrades, and the 1,700-plus projects still on the district's list.

Half-penny sales tax town hall

Kellie Cowan covers what the town halls explaining the Half-Penny Promise impact and referendum for its renewal.

Hillsborough County Public Schools To Host Community Town Halls On Half-Penny Promise Referendum

Independent Citizen Oversight Committee members will join district leaders to explain how Half-Penny dollars have been monitored since 2018. Includes Microsoft Teams links for the virtual sessions.

Town Hall Meetings

Join us for a virtual or in-person Town Hall meeting to learn more about Referendum 3 to renew the one-half cent sales tax on the Nov. 3 ballot

Summer Construction Touches Schools Countywide

AC replacements, drainage repairs, and media center refreshes are underway at schools countywide this summer, funded by a tax that's now generated more than $1.33 billion.

Half-Penny Tax Powers $97M in Summer Repairs

This summer's $97 million in school construction, including a full HVAC overhaul at Steinbrenner High, is funded by the 2018 half-penny tax, which has topped $1 billion in spending.