Charter schools won’t get money from proposed tax

Backed by a legal opinion, Palm Beach County schools will not include charter schools as a beneficiary in a tax proposal expected to generate $800 million over the next four years.

The opinion, by Miami attorney Elliot H. Scherker, says state law does not oblige the school board to share the proceeds of the proposed tax, $1 for every $1,000 of taxable property, with charters.

The money would pay for improved school security and mental health care and salary supplements for teachers.

The school board plans to vote on July 18 on whether to ask voters to approve the tax on the Nov. 6 ballot. The board delayed its vote last month when charter representatives said they deserve a share of the proceeds.

Charter schools are publicly funded independent schools operated on contracts that are renewed by school boards subject to their performance. About 10 percent of Palm Beach County’s 200,000 public school students attend 48 charters.

Voters already pay $7 for every $1,000 in state and local school taxes, and an additional 25 cents on every $1,000 for 650 elective teachers.

The 25-cent tax expires this year and would be renewed as part of the ballot proposal.