Hillsborough schools make case for renewing half-penny sales tax

Hillsborough County Public Schools is making its case for renewing a half-cent sales tax that has funded more than $1 billion in school improvements across the county.Voters approved the tax in 2018. Since then, HCPS says it has invested more than $1.326 billion in school improvements, including air-conditioning replacements, roof renovations, athletic facilities, playgrounds, and safety and security upgrades.See the full list of improvements here.The district is holding a series of town halls to explain what the tax has funded and what officials say is still needed. The first in-person meeting was Tuesday night at Newsome High School, with additional meetings scheduled at Gaither High School and Hillsborough High School.Chris Farkas, who spoke for HCPS during a virtual town hall Tuesday, said some of the district's biggest capital needs can be expensive.Some of our high schools are between 10 to $15 million to do an HVAC replacement, Farkas said.The district's presentation said 177 HV