The school superintendents of Miami-Dade and Broward counties have asked residents to support referendums on public school funding on Tuesday, Nov. 3. In Broward, the vote comes as the district discusses further school closures.
Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Howard Hepburn stressed that this is not a new tax but a renewal of the current one. It would be the third renewal. In Broward, property owners currently pay $100 for every $100,000 of estimated value, and in Miami-Dade, $1 for every $1,000 of taxable value.
According to district officials, referendum money in Broward pays for supplements for teachers and staff, more than 390 people responsible for school safety and more than 220 mental health specialists. Officials estimate that without a renewal, public schools in the county would lose about $358 million a year. According to the Sun Sentinel, in the 2022 referendum 75% of the funds were earmarked for salaries, and this year’s proposal raises that share to 90%.
Hepburn and Miami-Dade Superintendent Rafael Villalobos both said the referendum is necessary. In Miami-Dade, the question is numbered 268, and approval would extend the funding through June 30, 2031.
The appeal comes as Broward is in the middle of a process of closing and merging under-enrolled schools. After seven hours of debate, the School Board finalized a list of 10 schools under consideration. Board member Allen Zeman had proposed closing 26 schools, but the board noted at the time that the list of 26 schools was not currently being considered. In early October, the final proposals kept the same 10 schools.
The board’s final vote is scheduled for Dec. 15. Broward County Public Schools publishes up-to-date information about the Nov. 3 vote and the timeline for the school closure work.
Source: Sun Sentinel, Local 10
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Source: Słoneczne Radio
