Broward voters renew $358 million school funding referendum

Broward County voters have approved the renewal of the Secure the Next Generation Referendum, extending a property tax expected to generate approximately $358 million annually for teacher compensation, school safety and student mental health services.

About 67% of voters supported the measure in Tuesday's general election, according to election-night results reported by WLRN, giving it the highest level of voter support since the referendum was first approved in 2018.

In a statement following the results, Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn thanked residents for supporting the measure, saying voters had reaffirmed their confidence in the district.

"Today, voters overwhelmingly affirmed their trust in Broward County Public Schools and recommitted to investing in world class talent, student safety and well-being with the highest percentage of voter support since the first referendum passed in 2018," Hepburn said.

"We believe our community recognizes the return on its investment, reflected in our three consecutive A ratings and three years with no D- or F-rated schools. We thank Broward County residents and will continue to build on the trust and investment afforded to our district. When our schools win, our entire community wins."

The referendum, first approved in 2018, was renewed in 2022, when voters also approved increasing the property tax levy from half a mill to one mill and extending its benefits to charter schools.

The latest approval will maintain the existing one-mill property tax rate for another four years, covering the 2027-28 through 2030-31 school years. The measure is expected to generate approximately $358 million annually, with $283 million allocated to district-operated schools and $75 million distributed to charter schools.

Nearly 90% of the funding is earmarked for compensation supplements for teachers and other eligible school employees, helping the district recruit and retain staff. The remaining funds support school safety personnel and mental health services for students and families.

The district's referendum funding also supports approximately 400 school safety personnel and 224 mental health professionals. Nearly $2 million is allocated to wearable emergency panic buttons that allow school employees to request immediate assistance during emergencies.

Ahead of the election, BCPS warned that failing to renew the measure would result in the loss of approximately $358 million in annual revenue, threatening employee compensation supplements and funding for safety and mental health programs.

The renewal does not introduce a new tax or increase the existing millage rate. One mill represents $1 in property taxes for every $1,000 of taxable property value. Based on current estimates, the average Broward homeowner with a taxable property value of approximately $417,877 will pay about $418 annually, or $35 monthly.

The referendum comes as BCPS faces broader financial pressures, including declining student enrollment. The district reported losing more than 10,000 students since the previous school year, a decline that has reduced state funding and added to budgetary challenges.

BCPS is the sixth-largest school district in the United States and the second-largest in Florida, serving more than 224,300 students across its schools and educational centers.