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Santa Rosa school board approves preliminary capital outlay budget; sets aside funds for new north-end high school
Summary
The board approved a 2025-26 preliminary capital outlay budget that projects roughly $47.1 million in revenue and identifies a $13.75 million reserve for a planned north-end high school. Staff reviewed large expenditure lines and said state funding uncertainties remain because of pending charter-school legislation and delayed state allocations.
The Santa Rosa County School Board approved a preliminary 2025–26 capital outlay budget that officials said projects about $47.1 million in revenue and earmarks $13.75 million in reserves toward a planned new high school on the north end of the county.
Mister Hill, a district finance presenter, told the board the projected revenue sources include the half-cent sales tax local capital improvement funds and the 1.5 mills local property tax allocation. Hill identified major planned expenditures in the capital budget: approximately $12.05 million in debt service (COPS loan payments), $5.6 million for property-casualty insurance, $3 million for technology and infrastructure (a $1 million increase from the prior year), and $2.3 million for bus leases. Hill said the district plans to add $13.75 million to reserves to help fund a future north-end high school and that doing so would put district reserves at a stronger position for potential construction without borrowing as much.
Board members asked about pending state legislation affecting charter-school funding and how that could change local revenue. Hill explained that earlier referenda (2016 and 2018) excluded charter schools from receiving the county’s half-cent sales tax revenues; state statute changes or a future referendum could change that in the future. Hill also noted local impacts as some charter schools close or operate as virtual charters and therefore do not receive the same local capital allocations.
During the presentation, Hill also listed specific facility projects and capital needs, including replacing Building 15 (the former music building) at Jay Elementary as part of planned work. The board approved the preliminary capital outlay budget by motion; the vote was recorded as unanimous.
The presenter cautioned that some state-level allocations (first and fourth FEFP calculations) were delayed and could affect final numbers: the district had not yet received the first calculation and was warned the figure could arrive as late as June 30. Board members and staff said they would continue to monitor state budget actions and any pending bills that could alter funding flows.
The board approved the preliminary capital outlay budget and moved the item forward as part of the administrative agenda.
