Florida schools seek tax increases to boost teacher, staff salaries

The big story: School districts across the Tampa Bay area are finding it tougher to compete for teachers and staff than in the past, with applicants in short supply for several types of jobs.

They figure one way to more attract potential hires is through better pay.

“While money is not always the answer, I think it helps,” said Pinellas County School Board vice chairperson Carol Cook.

She made her comment during discussion of the Pinellas district’s plan to ask voters to extend and renew a local-option property tax that supports salaries. The district has had its tax in place for 20 years, but has found it might not be enough as neighboring districts have taken the same route.

To reassert itself, the Pinellas board agreed to propose doubling the tax rate and giving extra pay to all faculty and staff but top level administrators. Read more here.

Hillsborough County voters have yet to approve a local tax to boost pay. The board is seeking voter support for a November ballot initiative.

In the meantime, the Hillsborough teacher and support employee unions have asked through negotiations for the district to put $80 million more toward salaries and benefits. Read more here.

Hot topics

K-8 schools: The Pinellas County school district has a waiting list for K-8 school seats. It’s making plans to open a new one in 2025. • At parents’ request, the Hillsborough County School Board agreed to add sixth through eighth grades to Apollo Beach Elementary School.

Book challenges: The Hernando County School Board decided to remove 19 of 20 challenged books from all schools during a daylong session, WUSF reports. Moms for Liberty members filed the objections, calling the books “pornography.”

Cell phones: Lee County school board members debated whether to ban student cell phone use during the school day, WINK reports. No decisions were made.

Charter conversion: Alachua County school district officials maintained that a vote to convert Newberry Elementary to charter status failed, while city officials are claiming it passed, MainStreet Daily News reports. The head of the local teachers union raised concerns that teachers could lose benefits if the conversion takes place, WCJB reports.

Construction projects: The Orange County Commission approved placing a school sales tax referendum on the November ballot, WKMG reports. The revenue would support new construction and renovations. • The Palm Beach County school district broke ground for a new elementary school in a fast-growing western portion of the county, WPTV reports.

School closures: Dozens of Duval County residents showed up at their school board meeting to express displeasure with plans to cut staff and close schools as the district seeks to reduce spending, WJAX reports.

School safety: Florida schools have seen an increase in gun incidents over the past decade, Axios reports. • Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a bill requiring schools to keep doors locked when they are not staffed, News Service of Florida reports.

Superintendents: The Duval County School Board selected two finalists for its superintendent post, WJXT reports. They’re Christopher Bernier of Lee County, and Daniel Smith of Loudoun County, Va., public schools. • Departing Broward County superintendent Peter Licata reached a separation agreement with the school board, the Sun-Sentinel reports. Licata held the post only 10 months, and some board members balked at giving him a full severance package.

Testing: A Pasco County high school teacher is helping guide students toward success on the SAT and ACT, Tampa Beacon reports.

Title IX: The Sarasota County School Board voted not to comply with federal Title IX revised guidelines that offer specific protections for LGBTQ+ students, the Herald-Tribune reports.

From the police blotter ... A teacher at a Hillsborough County charter school was arrested on accusations of inappropriate conduct with a student. A security officer at the school was arrested on allegations of interfering with the investigation.

In higher ed

National ranking: US News & World Report listed Florida as having the nation’s top education system, fueled in large part by higher education.

FAMU gift: Skeptics are raising questions about the validity of a pledged $237 million gift to Florida A&M University by a little known donor, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.

College leadership: The dean of the University of Florida College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has stepped down, the Independent Florida Alligator reports.

Campus protests: Dozens of University of Central Florida students held a daylong protest, calling on the school to divest from companies that support Israel’s war efforts, the Orlando Sentinel reports. No arrests were made.

Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to yesterday’s roundup.

Before you go ... Cute animal alert!