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Voters to Decide on Broward County Schools Funding Increase in August
SCHOOL NEWS Voters to Decide on Broward County Schools Funding Increase in August
By Our City Staff
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Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is presenting voters with a referendum that will appear on the August 23, 2022, primary election ballot. “The Secure the Next Generation” referendum would increase property owner’s contribution by 0.50 millage points from current levels.
A millage rate refers to the amount of property tax paid based on the assessed value of a piece of real estate. One mill is equal to 1/1,000. For example, a 1 mill tax on a $100,000 property would yield a net tax of $100.
The school district says it will use funds to recruit and retain high-quality teachers and eligible staff by increasing compensation, providing additional school resource officers and school safety staff, and, enhancing essential programs, such as mental health services.
The current ½ mill assessment will expire next year if the proposal is not approved by voters in August.
“If the referendum doesn’t pass, we would have zero, which means our teachers would not receive any of the supplements that they receive now,” said Broward School Board Member Laurie Rich Levinson.
If the proposal passes it will generate about $177 million annually, which represents more than 5% of the district’s total annual expenditures. The majority of the funds will be used to attract and retain teachers by augmenting salaries.
In addition to BCPS, Charter Schools are set to receive $45 million in funds.
“The counties on both sides of us are actually recruiting some of our top talent from Broward County Public Schools,” said Superintendent Vicki Cartwright.
Broward County spends about $12,000 per student per year. The county’s expenditures are slightly higher than the state of Florida overall, but lag neighboring Miami Dade and Palm Beach Counties. According to BCPS the average Broward homeowner would see a tax increase of about $23 per month following the adoption of the proposal.
▸Voters can learn more by visiting www.browardschools.com/secure.
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