Hillsborough County Public Schools officials reviewed summer operations work, saying 58 projects ranged from HVAC overhauls to playground and paving work and that crews completed work across campuses ahead of the school year.

Deputy Superintendent of Operations Chris Farkas said the work included large projects such as a full HVAC renovation at Hillsborough High School and that a half‑penny sales tax helped fund the work. “You’ll see some of the large ones like Hillsborough High School. It's a complete HVAC renovation,” Farkas said. He and the superintendent asked for patience should any units fail in hot weather, but said, “as of right now, the air conditioning is working.”

Why it matters: Reliable building systems and completed capital projects are essential for safe operations as students return; HVAC and cooling systems have immediate impact during high summer temperatures.

Officials said the district is also finishing a technical college in Plant City and expects it to open in October, with course options for both adults and high‑school students. The district linked these projects to voter support for the half‑penny sales tax referendum.

On staffing, the superintendent reported reductions in vacancies compared with the previous year but said some bus‑driver and instructional vacancies remain. He attributed recruitment and retention gains in part to the voter‑approved referendum funds.

No formal board vote occurred during the briefing; the comments were an operational update for the community.