Public school leaders, elected officials push for school tax renewal
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Public school leaders and elected officials across the political spectrum are calling on Miami-Dade voters to renew a property tax that supports teacher pay and school safety.
Why it matters: The district is facing budget shortfalls, approving a more than 3% cut to its operating budget last month and initiating conversations about closing schools.
- The money generated from the tax enables the district to recruit and retain teachers as cost of living and inflation continue to rise, education advocates say.
What they're saying: "The referendum is not a luxury or an extra. It's the heartbeat that keeps this district running," United Teachers of Dade President Antonio White said during a news conference this week.
State of play: The Nov. 3 ballot item — if approved — would extend another four years the tax voters overwhelmingly approved in 2022 that collects $100 for every $100,000 in assessed taxable property value.
- Voters first approved a property tax referendum in 2018, when the district asked for a tax rate of 0.75. Voters approved the 0.25 increase to 1.0 in 2022.
The big picture: More than one-third of Florida school districts, serving roughly 75% of the state's school-aged students, rely on locally approved referendums, according to White.
- The trend, he said, underscores that "state funding alone is simply not enough these days."
The intrigue: This year's efforts seem to have bipartisan support, a shift from 2022.
- School Board members (members-elect at the time) Roberto Alonso and Monica Colucci campaigned against the referendum, and the Miami Dade Republican Party encouraged residents to vote "No" on the ballot question.
Case in point: This year, the School Board in April unanimously approved placing the referendum on November's ballot.
- At a news conference this week, speakers — including School Board member Danny Espino, County Commissioner Rene Garcia and Florida PTA president Jude Bruno, who have at times been at odds — all spoke of the need to pass the referendum.
"As a Republican, I'm one that doesn't really like taxes," Garcia said. "The reality is, this tax has worked."
- "[It's] helped with the salary of our teachers and the public safety of our children. These dollars have been working and been put to good use."
What's next: Newly appointed Superintendent Rafael Villalobos is hosting town hall meetings across the county through Oct. 15 to introduce himself and talk about the referendum renewal.