The Charlotte County School Board finalized the district’s legislative priorities during a Tuesday workshop session. It will ask the state for $30 million to build a new Port Charlotte Middle School and $5.5 million to build classrooms and training facilities for Charlotte Technical College’s aviation programs. 

The county’s legislative delegation will meet at 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 20, at Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association. 

At the school board’s regular meeting Tuesday evening, all five board members unanimously voted to approve the district’s legislative platform. 

Board member Kim Amontree said the school board hasn’t made a request for funds from the state in two decades. 

School district Chief Financial Officer Gregory Griner discussed measures to raise the rest of the money for the $87 million project, including a half-cent sales tax with a millage decrease. If the school board adopts that plan, a referendum would be placed on the November 2024 election ballot. 

When asked following the evening meeting whether property owners would see an increase in their tax bill, Griner said they would see a decrease, as the revenue would come from out-of-county visitors and tourists by way of a sales tax for hotel stays, for instance. 

Some in the community oppose building a new middle school, since the current one is housing students after repairs were made following Hurricane Ian. 

The air conditioning units were built on top of the school in 1970. During the storm’s high winds, the units were blown around, leaving gaping holes through which rain poured in, soaking the school’s interior. 

While repairs were being made, students were taught on the campus in temporary classrooms. 

A temporary roof, which was covered by insurance, is estimated to last five years. If another powerful storm strikes the area, the same sort of storm damage could occur, the board discussed. 

A newly constructed school would allow for the creation of additional magnet programs and adult education opportunities. An academy for training students in various skills would also be part of the campus. 

Also, the project would create another shelter, as its location is far from the water and new hardened construction would make it resilient. 

The current school, due to its construction, is not being used as a shelter. 

Because the proposed new school would be used as a shelter, the district will ask the county to help with a portion of the new school’s cost. 

At its special workshop session in early November, board member Robert Segur had reservations about building a new school. He said he wanted direction from Griner as to where the additional funding would be found. 

Griner said nearly $60 million in additional costs for the new school would be spread over a decade. The district’s $3.2 million in debt service ends in 2027, so funding the project “would be a wash,” Griner said. 

At Tuesday’s regular meeting, Segur said he would support the push for a new school.