Oversight committee meets to review Referendum expenditures

March 7, 2018

The Independent Citizens Referendum Oversight Committee (ICROC) met today to share updates on second-quarter spending. ICROC meets quarterly to oversee the distribution of funds from Pinellas County Schools Referendum.

The Referendum strengthens reading, art and music programs, provides up-to-date technology and textbooks, and helps recruit and retain quality teachers. The district has budgeted about $40 million for the 2017-18 school year thanks to the Referendum.

Eighty percent of the money generated by the Referendum is allocated to supplement teacher salaries. This year's salary supplement for teachers is $4,004.

At the ICROC meeting, staff members from various departments shared updates on Referendum spending. The Referendum funds numerous resources, including technology for media center Maker Spaces, collaborative areas where students can create, invent, and explore.

Other Referendum expenditures include:

• Kindergarten and first-grade literacy kits for all elementary school
• Books for classroom libraries and online resources that provide access to thousands of digital books
• Funding for about 1,000 seniors to take the ACT to meet graduation requirements for English Language Arts
• Interactive technology, such as SMART Boards
• TriCaster multi-camera production systems for 19 school multimedia labs
• Art materials and supplies for all schools
• Equipment and technology for the Art Teacher Technology Integration Program
• Visual arts computer labs and certification opportunities
• Elementary school music equipment
• Marching band uniforms
• Field trips to museums, galleries and St. Petersburg Opera field trips
• Florida Orchestra teaching artist programs

To learn more about all of the resources that the Referendum provides see the annual ICROC report for 2016-17 or visit the Referendum webpages at www.pcsb.org/referendum.