FORT LAUDERDALE – Four weeks from in the present day, Broward County homeowners will probably be requested whether or not to approve a referendum that would increase their taxes.
That cash would go to schools, particularly for safety and wage dietary supplements for academics and others.
“Just living day to day in this district is becoming increasingly difficult,” mentioned South Plantation High instructor Carolyn Flanagan.
She earns about $4,000 extra a 12 months thanks to a referendum that dietary supplements her instructing wage. Without it, she says she might have to go away.
“Some of us are really looking at having to leave our homes, leaving our friends, leaving everything we know to perhaps seek out a better salary in other districts just so we can live day to day,” she mentioned
Broward County voters are being requested to renew that referendum that lasts 4 years and double the millage price from .5 to 1%. Without it, the district warns applications may very well be reduce.
“It may be athletics, some of our music programs we do, some of our arts that we do, because we would be put into a place that unfortunately we would not be able to offer those things,” Broward Schools Superintendent Dr. Vickie Cartwright mentioned.
The increase would generate $267 million a 12 months, with $214 million going to public schools and $53 million to constitution schools. It helps issues like greater than 500 faculty security personnel, 100 psychological well being professionals, with the bulk going to complement pay for academics and eligible employees.
Homeowner Brandon Freeland realizes we’re all being hit by inflation and rising prices but helps the increase.
“Can’t leave the teachers behind, can we? Everything’s costing them more money too,” he mentioned.
For a house valued at $478,430, the house owner would pay about $310 a 12 months, up from $155. That breaks down to $26 a month. The proprietor of a $224,131 condominium would see a $181 invoice, double the present one. That breaks down to $15 a month.
“I think we definitely need to take care of our teachers, because that’s our future, the kids of the future and teachers aren’t getting paid enough and not a lot of people are going to want to do it,” Freeland mentioned.
Broward voters will contemplate the referendum on the August 23 poll. In November, Miami-Dade voters will be asked to renew their referendum for one more 4 years and increase the millage price from .75% to 1%.