School Facility Funding. Deeper Dive. Policy Brief

In November 2020, Duval County voters will decide on a half-penny sales tax to fund upgrades to public school buildings across the district. Revenue will be spent to improve public school buildings for traditional and charter schools. Following the 2020 passage of House Bill 7097, revenue from the sales tax will be allocated to charter school facilities on the basis of student enrollment. For traditional public schools, revenue will be spent according to the district's master facilities plan, which is based on the condition of the school buildings. To inform community discussions ahead of the vote, the Jacksonville Public Education Fund (JPEF) published research highlighting the importance of high quality school facilities to student performance and achievement. To continue the conversation, this deeper dive looks at the policy and funding landscape of school buildings for both types of public schools.