Parents in Volusia County are growing frustrated after voting for a sales tax that was supposed to fund a new school — only to learn the project’s future is now uncertain.

Read-Patillo Elementary was built in 1958. Decades later, parents say little has changed.

“We have not had any significant repairs or renovations to our school since the year 2000. And that was right before George Bush came and visited our school. So there is a lot of work that needs to be done to our school,” said Danielle Sandhagen, a Read-Patillo parent.

When Volusia County voters approved a half-cent sales tax in 2014, Read-Patillo was slated to receive a new building. But in the district’s 2025-2026 plans, the project is now listed as “TBD.”

“The district sent three members to our SAC meeting on Monday, and when we asked about an update on the new school build, we were told that that was no longer moving forward,” Sandhagen said.

Parents fear that could mean Read-Patillo might close — without a replacement. In a message sent to families Oct. 8, the district said no decision has been made to close the school.

The district’s spokesperson said public school enrollment and “education in 2026 is not the same as it was in 2014,” adding that planning “must reflect that.”

“We are one of only two schools left that has not gotten a new school or a remodeled school, and so we’re just wondering why that is. We are not showing up on the five year plan and if anybody can do any math, it’s five years from now that it is in 2031,” Sandhagen said.

That timeline is significant — the half-cent sales tax expires in 2031. District leaders are set to meet with the school developer to review the project before updating families at a community meeting. The district also noted any proposed changes to the project must be presented publicly to the school board and approved by a board vote.