In a pivotal decision that could impact the future of education funding in Hillsborough County, officials are at odds over whether to include schools as a recipient of future tax revenue. Nearly 30 years ago, voters approved a special community investment sales tax with schools as a critical selling point. Now, as the County Commission mulls over seeking a renewal, the School Board’s plan to pursue its own separate referendum for a local property tax has caused division among leaders.
Board members argue that the two taxes would fund different items and have urged the county to keep the district in the mix for the sales tax. A decision on this matter is expected to be made this week, with potential implications for the future of education funding in the county.
Meanwhile, in Broward County, the school district is facing the possibility of having to pay $80 million to charter schools to share revenue from a 2018 local tax referendum. District officials had been warned for years about the potential for such a bill, according to the Sun-Sentinel.
In other news, Florida leads the nation in book challenges in schools and libraries, and the state is one of a dozen advancing proposals to allow religious chaplains to counsel students in public schools. Additionally, a St. Lucie County school community is mourning the loss of a beloved teacher, and Vermont’s governor is defending his choice of a Florida charter school executive as the state’s education commissioner.
Amidst these developments, two Palm Beach County school employees have been arrested for inappropriate relations with students, and a federal judge is considering the constitutionality of a Florida law limiting teachers’ use of personal pronouns and titles in public schools. Stay tuned for updates on these important education-related issues.