Palm Beach County voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to renew an existing 1-mill property tax for public schools for four more years. If approved, the levy would continue from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2031.
The School District of Palm Beach County says the tax has supported local schools since 2019, after voters approved it in 2018 and renewed it in 2022. This vote is a renewal, not a new tax.
The ballot language says the money would go to school safety, school police, mental health services, arts, music, physical education, career and choice program teachers, and teacher pay. An independent committee of citizens and experts would oversee the funds.
According to the district, half of the money now pays teacher salary supplements. Another 25% supports more than 900 career and choice, arts, music and other specialized teaching positions. The remaining 25% pays for mental health services, school police and security staff.
The district says the supplements average about $8,000 a year per teacher. If voters reject the measure, those supplements and the more than 900 positions would be cut, according to the district. The League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County’s referendum synopsis makes the same point.
Students too young to vote have also spoken in favor. Sawyer Tinsley, a student who supports the referendum, told WPTV that teacher issues affect everyone and that the measure shapes the future of schools and the country.
