Oversight committee reviews Referendum spending

Oct. 30, 2024

The Independent Citizens Referendum Oversight Committee met today to review Referendum spending. The committee meets quarterly to ensure money is spent as voters intended. 

Funds from the Referendum boost reading, music and art programs; provide up-to-date technology and textbooks; and help recruit and retain quality teachers. The Referendum was first approved in 2004 and is on the Nov. 5 ballot.

At the ICROC meeting, staff members from various departments shared fourth-quarter updates on resources and opportunities funded by the Referendum.

Each meeting also highlights Referendum resources in specific categories. Wednesday's meeting featured the Visual Arts.

Jonathan Ogle, PreK-12 Visual Arts Specialist, shared several significant successes from the 2023-2024 school year, which were possible thanks to the Referendum:

• By the end of the school year, 3,446 2-D and 3-D artworks were showcased across over 25 exhibitions at local museums, art centers, and galleries.
• Pinellas K-12 students received 884 art awards, which were celebrated by family, friends and educators.
• Pinellas students excelled in the Florida Art Education Association’s K-12 Student Art Assessment, receiving 66 Awards of Excellence and 19 Awards of Excellence with Distinction.
• 79 Referendum-funded visual arts field trips took place, allowing 4,364 students to experience local art museums.
• At the Walker’s Rising Stars High School Arts Competition, a Gibbs High School student from the Pinellas County Center for the Arts earned first place in the Visual Arts category. 

Mr. Ogle also shared a video featuring Walker's Rising Stars, which included comments from PCS art students.

See the complete Quarter 4 Report. 

Learn more about the PCS Referendum at www.pcsb.org/Referendum.

Watch this video about Walker's Rising Stars: