Schools get $22M from half-cent sales tax
-- Rebekah Allen, Pensacola News Journal

Florida: March 12, 2010 -- Schools throughout Escambia County will receive $22 million worth of unexpected upgrades and renovations, thanks to the half-cent sales tax. The tax generates about $20 million a year to be used for school construction and renovation projects. But after the district finished a list of budgeted projects, there was $22 million left over from accrued interest and savings from finishing projects under budget. "It's like getting a sixth year of revenue from a five-year referendum," said Shawn Dennis, assistant superintendent of operations. Projects in each of the School Board's five districts received funding, as well as some districtwide programs. In all, nearly 50 schools were approved for renovations, ranging from new windows and portable construction, to parking expansions and air conditioning replacements. Projects chosen came from wish lists that principals submitted for construction and renovation projects for their schools. The projects will begin in the coming months and be complete within two years, Dennis said. "Projects that needed to be done, but weren't, are getting done a lot faster, and then there are some projects that may have never been done without this money," said Ashley Bodmer, chairwoman of the tax watch dog committee that oversees how the sales tax money is spent.

$250 million school bond measure to go on ballot
-- DEEPA BHARATH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

California: March 11, 2010 -- Voters will get a chance in June to approve or reject a $250 million bond measure to help improve school facilities in the Garden Grove Unified School District. The school board Wednesday unanimously voted in support of a resolution to put the bond measure on the June 8 ballot. Trustees spoke overwhelmingly in support of sending the issue to the voters, citing aging school facilities and the need to "invest in our children's future."

TSC approves new facility fees
-- JUSTIN L. MACK , Jconline

Indiana: March 11, 2010 -- The Tippecanoe School Corp. board unanimously approved a revamped policy and fee structure for facility and field usage throughout the district Monday night. According to TSC Chief Financial Officer Kim Fox, the district began considering a new fee structure in 2009 for recreational programs, sports teams and other groups using school facilities. Fox said the changes are being made to create a consistent fee rate across the district and to make sure the buildings are safe when being used. The fees will also help TSC recoup some of the costs created by renting out facilities. Fax said the district spends an estimated $100,000 annually to cover expenses for facilities used by outside groups, including the costs of utilities and custodial staff.

Upgrades will be made to the Chagrin Falls school facilties
-- Lindsay Betz, Sun News

Ohio: March 11, 2010 -- Significant steps are being considered to modernize Chagrin Falls school facilities and services. The Chagrin Falls Board of Education reviewed information March 1 related to a potential Ohio House Bill 264 energy efficiency and conservation undertaking, and received a preliminary plan for district-wide technological advancement. $1.2 million in energy saving renovations District leaders met Feb. 26 with representatives of Middleburg Heights-based Brewer-Garrett Company to review a study performed by the engineering firm into possible energy-saving renovations at school facilities. With a projected total cost of approximately $1.2 million, the Brewer-Garrett proposal includes extensive updates to lighting systems, ceiling replacements and new hot water equipment.

School bond vote: Maybe November
-- Jesse Duarte, The St. Helena Star

California: March 11, 2010 -- St. Helena voters won’t be asked this June to extend a property tax rate that funds a bond for local school facilities. That was one of the nuggets that came out of last week’s round-table meeting of the new school board, the first in a series of discussions the board plans to hold monthly so the public can interact with trustees more freely than they can during regular board meetings.