Without tax renewal, Broward schools lose safety, mental health funding

Broward County Public Schools is excited to welcome students, families and staff to the new school year beginning Tuesday, Aug. 16.

Since joining the school district last year, I have enjoyed getting to know our community and seeing firsthand the incredible work taking place in our schools. There is so much we can be proud of, including recently released results for state assessments taken in the spring, which show our students made significant improvements in most of the tested areas, including language arts, math and science. The district also received an overall “B” grade from the state, missing an “A” by just one percentage point.

These achievements reflect the incredible dedication of our teachers, administrators and staff, as well as the support of our families and communities who have worked hard to help our students recover academically from the effects of the pandemic.

As we prepare for students to return to campuses next week, we remain focused on providing high-quality educational experiences in safe and secure learning environments. As the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission has noted, Broward County Public Schools has become a national model district in many areas of school safety. Broward stakeholders have been instrumental when it comes to school safety. A referendum approved by Broward County voters in 2018 provides funding for more than 500 additional safety personnel in our schools.

In the Aug. 23 primary election, our community will be asked again whether to invest in our schools by renewing the referendum with an increase from a half-millage to one millage point. The funds will continue to be used for school safety, compensation for teachers and eligible employees as well as mental health programs.

Without the renewal, I am concerned about the negative impact the loss of these funds will have on our teachers, staff and schools and, ultimately, the services we provide our students.

On average, the referendum provides teachers with a $4,600 supplement on top of their annual salary. These supplements help our teachers live where they work. The supplements also support teacher assistants, bus drivers, facility and maintenance workers, food workers and other eligible staff.

If the referendum is not renewed, the $82 million in supplements for our workforce will end. Broward County Public Schools will no longer be able to recruit and retain the best talent. Many of our best may leave for other school districts that are able to offer higher salaries, particularly our neighboring districts.

In addition, funds for more than 500 safety personnel ($21 million annually) and 100 mental health personnel ($9 million annually) would also cease if the referendum is not renewed. To continue these critical positions, the district would be forced to cut $30 million from its budget, which may include staff reductions and eliminating programs that serve our students.

I am hopeful Broward County will continue to invest in our schools and support the district as we continue to gain momentum and make progress.

To learn more about the referendum, visit browardschools.com/secure.

By Vickie L. Cartwright