School board shoots down sales tax increase; proposed cutbacks could come

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LEE COUNTY, Fla.- People living in Lee County will not have to pay any more money in sales tax.

Tuesday night, the Lee County School Board unanimously voted down a proposal to raise the county sales tax. Because of this, some programs are now on the chopping block.

“This is not a scare tactic. This is a real life list of what would look to do to get some sort of balance,” said Superintendent Nancy Graham.

The sales tax increase would have given the district $50 million each year for five years.

Now the district needs to find ways to save such as getting rid of busing for after school activities, which would save the district $1.2 million.

The district will also look into moving middle and high school sports game to Saturdays, instead of night games to save money on electricity.

Summer school would be eliminated except for struggling third graders, which would save the district $600,000.

These cuts are only suggestions and would not happen until the 2017-2018 school years. If funding is found before then, these cuts could change.

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