Broward voters to decide on $358 million school funding referendum
Key Points(5)
- Broward County voters will decide Nov.
- 3 whether to renew a one-mill property tax referendum expected to generate approximately $358 million annually for teacher and staff compensation, school safety and mental health services.
- The Secure the Next Generation Referendum renewal would extend the existing levy for four school years beginning with the 2027-28 school year.
- It is not a new tax or an increase in the current rate, but a renewal of the property tax approved by voters in 2022.
- If the renewal fails, Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) would lose approximately $358 million annually in funding that currently supports compensation supplements and school safety and mental health personnel.
Broward County voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to renew a one-mill property tax referendum expected to generate approximately $358 million annually for teacher and staff compensation, school safety and mental health services.
The Secure the Next Generation Referendum renewal would extend the existing levy for four school years beginning with the 2027-28 school year. It is not a new tax or an increase in the current rate, but a renewal of the property tax approved by voters in 2022.
If the renewal fails, Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) would lose approximately $358 million annually in funding that currently supports compensation supplements and school safety and mental health personnel.
About $173 million annually goes toward compensation supplements for teachers and eligible staff. The funding also supports more than 390 school safety personnel and more than 224 mental health professionals, according to the school district.
The referendum would apply to all Broward County public schools, including charter schools. Of the projected annual revenue, approximately $283 million would go to district-operated schools and $75 million to charter schools.
Supporters say renewing the referendum would help Broward County Public Schools recruit and retain teachers and eligible staff while maintaining funding for school safety personnel and mental health services for students and families.
Under the proposed renewal, the average homeowner with a market-value home of $652,756 and a school board taxable value of $417,877 would pay approximately $418 annually, or $35 per month. The average condominium owner, with a market value of $296,524 and a taxable value of approximately $230,002, would pay about $230 annually, or $19 per month.
Actual costs would vary according to each property’s taxable value, as determined by the Broward County Property Appraiser.
The Broward County School Board would retain authority over the annual allocation of referendum funds through its budget approval process. The board has also adopted a restriction preventing the funds from being used for compensation for top district administrators going forward.
The existing referendum, approved in 2022, is scheduled to expire. The renewal would continue the one-mill levy from Jan. 1, 2027, through Dec. 31, 2030.
The measure will appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot as School Board Question 1.
