Quote:
Originally Posted by Goldwingnut
This I can't explain, the last few years The Villages has had record growth, added hundreds of millions to the tax rolls and exactly ZERO students to Sumter County.
Yes, the county did add non-over 55 residents and homes that added to the school population, but this represented <10% of the county's total residential growth.
Yes, a new school was built, it cost the school district $0.00 to build, and yes, it did add a few hundred (300?) students to the county school district - this was clearing the backlog of students waiting to get into the Charter School. But the offset in the county school tax income from the just the organic growth of The Villages from the last 3 years should have more than offset this bump "caused" by The Villages.
There has been growth in the non-charter school populations caused by the growth from the many new apartment and subdivision being built throughout the county, this too represents organic growth to the school budgets.
Between the county's growth and The Villages growth in Sumter County there's a lot of new money already coming into the school board's coffers.
To me, the numbers just don't add up to justify the proposed $140 increase in my school taxes this year. It would be nice to hear the justification.
While it might be considered bad form for me to attend another government body's meeting and ask hard questions, I would highly recommend others do so. From the TRIM notice the budget meeting on this is:
September 5, 2023 at 5:30 PM Sumter Cnty School District Board Room, 2680 W C-476, Bushnell, FL 33513 (352)793-2315
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Thanks, Don! As usual, very helpful information. You mentioned the school was built for $0 but not how involved the Developer will remain. There are yearly expenses like teacher/staff salaries, cafeteria/food, maintenance and upkeep, supplies for students and teachers, the 3 libraries need to be fully stocked, after school care, policing and cleaning up after the football games and other events, lawn maintenance, ...well, you get it! With 3 new schools I would imagine the price tag for these items is hefty. No?
I also read somewhere that the schools were leasing the buildings from the developer? ?? (not certain if this is accurate)