Nearly 900 teachers in the Palm Beach County School District could lose an average of $8,000 a year in pay if voters decline to renew a local property tax referendum on the ballot next month, according to the district’s estimates reported by WPTV.
The $1 million referendum, first approved in 2018, pays for music, art and physical education teachers as well as instructors in specialty programs such as culinary and aviation. The district also uses the money for added security staff and a behavioral health professional at every school. Without it, some of those positions could be eliminated by next school year.
Educators say they worry voters will confuse the renewal with Amendment 3, a property tax measure that has drawn heavy debate statewide. The referendum is separate from that amendment.
Gordon Longhofer, president of the Classroom Teachers Association, said the money has made daily work more manageable for teachers. Veteran teachers stand to lose the largest amounts, with some facing the loss of up to $10,000 a year because of their years of service.
Park Vista High School band teacher Amrutha Murthy said she has no time for a second job because of her schedule, while another veteran teacher, Marie Chrisphonce, said she already works a second job to cover her bills. Voters in several Florida school districts will decide the measure in early November.
