Broward, Miami-Dade schools seek renewal of tax referendums supporting teacher pay
Key Points(5)
- As election season heats up, educators and community leaders in Broward and Miami-Dade counties are asking voters to once again support public school teachers by renewing referendums in each county that help school staffers afford to live and work in South Florida.
- They call them slightly different names.
- “Secure the Next Generation” in Broward and “Secure Our Future” in Miami-Dade, but they do essentially the same thing: They provide salary supplements to teachers.
- Each school district kicked off its efforts to inform the public about the referendums Tuesday in separate events.
- “Florida is 50th in the nation in funding for teacher salaries.
Educators and school officials in Broward and Miami-Dade counties are urging voters to consider renewing property tax referendums that provide hundreds of millions of dollars for teacher and staff pay, school safety and other services across South Florida.
The two school districts on Tuesday launched public information efforts ahead of the Nov. 3 general election, when voters will decide whether to continue the existing one-mill property tax levies.
In Broward, the measure is known as the “Secure the Next Generation” referendum, while Miami-Dade’s is called “Secure Our Future.” Both were previously approved by voters and currently provide additional funding for teacher compensation and school safety.
“Florida is 50th in the nation in funding for teacher salaries. If the referendum is not renewed, the district would lose approximately $358 million a year,” Broward County School Board Chair Sarah Leonardi said at a news conference.
Broward County Public Schools says its referendum is a renewal, rather than a new tax or an increase in the existing rate. The measure would continue the one-mill levy from Jan. 1, 2027, through Dec. 31, 2030. One mill amounts to $1 in taxes for every $1,000 of taxable property value.
If approved, the Broward measure is expected to generate approximately $358 million annually, including about $283 million for district-operated schools and $75 million for charter schools. At least 90% would go toward compensation supplements for teachers and eligible staff, while up to 10% would support school safety and essential programs, including mental health services.
The existing Broward referendum currently provides approximately $173 million annually in compensation supplements. It also supports 393 school safety personnel, $1.7 million in safety software that includes wearable panic buttons for staff, and more than 224 mental health professionals.
Broward Superintendent Howard Hepburn warned that losing the funding could make it more difficult for the district to retain educators.
“So if this was not to pass, teachers have choices, and we would lose top quality educators here in Broward County,” Hepburn said.
Broward Teachers Union President Anna Fusco also emphasized that the district has come to rely on the voter-approved funding.
“It’s been supported before; it’s not new. We do depend on it,” Fusco said.
The referendum was first approved at a half-mill rate in 2018 before voters approved an increase to one mill in 2022.
“Property owners in Broward County are already paying this rate today; the referendum would continue the same one-mil rate for four more years,” Hepburn said.
In Miami-Dade, voters will similarly decide whether to continue a one-mill property tax levy. The current Secure Our Future referendum, approved in 2022, expires June 30, 2027. The School Board voted earlier this year to place its renewal on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Miami-Dade currently directs 88% of its referendum funding toward teacher salaries and 12% toward school safety, according to the district.
Miami-Dade Superintendent Rafael Villalobos said the additional compensation has helped the district compete for teachers in a region where housing and other living expenses are high.
“Can you imagine if we didn’t have this supplemental pay to make our teachers competitive enough to stay in Miami-Dade County Public Schools?” Villalobos said.
United Teachers of Dade President Antonio White described the referendum funding as critical to maintaining the district's workforce.
“The reality is clear, Florida ranks near the bottom nationally in education funding,” White said. “In Miami-Dade, this referendum is not a luxury or an extra, it is actually the heartbeat that keeps this school district running.”
The Miami-Dade levy also dates to 2018 and was renewed in 2022. The district's 2026 proposal would continue funding for compensation for teachers and instructional personnel and student safety and security, including at public charter schools.
School officials in both counties say the measures are particularly important as districts compete to recruit and retain educators in South Florida.
“It starts with investing in our children. It starts in education. Education is the key component to all things that are successful in a community,” Villalobos said.
Broward County Public Schools plans to hold three public town halls on its referendum ahead of Election Day. Meetings are scheduled for Sept. 30 at Charles W. Flanagan High School, Oct. 7 at the K.C. Wright Administration Center and Oct. 14 at Monarch High School. All three are scheduled from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
A simple majority of voters is required for the Broward referendum to pass.
