Back-to-school sales tax holiday
The first day of school for students in Collier County Public Schools is Tuesday, Aug. 11. Meanwhile, Florida’s 2026 back-to-school sales tax holiday continues through Thursday, Aug. 20. During the month-long tax-free period, you pay no state or local sales tax on qualifying clothing and accessories ($100 or less), school supplies ($50 or less), learning aids ($30 or less), and personal computers ($1,500 or less). To view the list of items exempt from taxes, visit floridarevenue.com (Direct link: floridarevenue.com/taxes/tips/Documents/TIP_26A01-11.pdf ).
Ave Maria school opens
Collier County Public Schools celebrated the opening of Ave Maria Elementary School on July 30, marking a significant investment in one of the country’s fastest-growing communities.
The new school, located at 4050 Anthem Parkway North, will welcome students on CCPS’s first day of school, Tuesday, Aug. 11. Ave Maria Elementary is the District’s 33rd elementary school and is expected to serve approximately 400 students during its inaugural year.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Dr. Leslie Ricciardelli, Superintendent of Schools; Blake Gable, CEO of Barron Collier Companies; Principal Bev Budzynski; and Assistant Principal Matt Sibert shared remarks celebrating the opening of the new campus. The event was emceed by Chad Oliver, chief communication officer for Collier County Public Schools. Attendees also heard from three students who earned the opportunity to speak through a competitive audition process.
“We recognize an organization that understood the importance of ensuring Ave Maria families had access to outstanding public education,” said Ricciardelli during the ribbon-cutting event. “I want to thank Barron Collier Companies CEO Blake Gable and his team for their support and partnership. This is what public education does. We don’t simply educate students, we help build communities, and no great school succeeds alone. Behind every success are people who choose to work together on behalf of children.”…