June 18, 2025
The committee that oversees Referendum spending saw firsthand how the Referendum engages students in the arts. The Independent Citizens Referendum Oversight Committee (ICROC) toured Dunedin High to see how the Referendum impacts art programs and summer art camps.
During their visit, members got a glimpse of art classrooms and explored the Creative Dimensions 3D Art Adventure Camp.
The Referendum, first approved in 2004, has been approved every four years since then. In November 2024, it was approved with 68 percent of the vote. The new Referendum provides a salary supplement for teachers and support staff. It also preserves music, art and reading classes, and provides students with current technology.
Visual Arts Technology Integration Coordinator Latonya Hicks explained how, thanks to the Referendum, art teachers at every school can request supplies that match their specific needs. Teachers can also invite expert artists to enhance their teaching.
Partnerships with more than 30 arts venues and organizations give students opportunities to showcase their artwork, win awards, and go on field trips to galleries and museums.
"Pinellas County Schools is known for its support of the arts, attracting high-caliber art teachers," PreK-12 Arts Specialist told the committee. "Several teachers refer to Pinellas as an 'arts oasis,' with one high school art teacher from Michigan calling it 'The Harvard of Arts.' "
The 3D Art Adventure Camp took students on a journey into the exciting world of 3D art, where they built, designed, and sculpted creations using wood, plaster and clay. During the visit, students in the camp were working on architectural reliquaries, which serve as containers for their artworks.
"It ties in art history, architecture and fine art, all together," explained art teacher David Smith.
The students created different artwork each day. The day before, students explored the district's new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) Innovation bus, where they used iPads and 3-D printers to design and create fish sculptures.
At PCS art camps, teachers have opportunities to work with other district teachers so they can learn from each other. Smith, a ceramic artist and teacher at Palm Harbor University High, said he enjoys hanging out with other art teachers and collaborating with them.
More than a dozen visual and performing arts summer camps benefit from the Referendum, including the Ignite Arts Camp.
After the tour, the committee held a quarterly meeting where district staff presented a budget overview and quarterly expenditures in each of the Referendum focus areas.
Visual Arts Specialist Ogle shared various art highlights and explained the impact of Referendum funds. Last school year, 4,069 students works of art were displayed at 25 district and countywide shows. On top of that, students earned 794 art awards.
"Celebrating student success through visual arts achievement is vital," Ogle said. "Recognition at art shows and receptions validates their artistic skills in and outside of the classroom and creates momentum for their success."
Learn more and access meeting documents at www.pcsb.org/referendum.
