Frequently Asked Questions

The School Board of Pasco County is asking voters to renew up to one mill in the property millage originally passed in 2022 to continue to recruit and retain quality teachers and staff, and to keep students and staff safe. The renewal will appear on the November 3, 2026 election ballot. This is the same millage as the original salary referendum in 2022 and is not an additional mill. By statute, this renewal will only last for four years unless it is approved again by a majority of the voters. By statute, districts are not permitted to renew for more than four years.

The referendum currently generates about $60 million to supplement eligible employee salaries, helping Pasco Schools recruit and retain high-quality staff. The renewal also provides a small amount for school safety, including additional personnel to support schools and to respond to safety threats.

For homeowners, the annual cost depends on the assessed value of a home. If there are no changes to the assessed value, homeowners will not see any increase.  One mill equals $1 for every $1,000 of assessed value; for example, a home assessed at $200,000 would cost approximately $200 per year. The millage renewal applies only to property owners. Residents who do not own property do not pay property taxes.

Competitive salaries are essential. Pasco Schools must offer pay that helps recruit and retain high-quality teachers and staff. School district millage rates are set by the Florida Legislature and have steadily declined over the past ten (10) years.

Neighboring districts are using referenda to support salaries. Hernando, Hillsborough, and Pinellas all had referenda passed or renewed in 2024. Pinellas has supported instructional staff through a referendum for many years and expanded it in 2024 to include non-instructional staff. Polk will have a referendum on the ballot for the first time in November 2026. If Pasco’s renewal is not approved by voters, Pasco County public schools will be competing for candidates against neighboring counties that have salary referendum funding.

The Penny for Pasco, approved in 2022, is shared with Pasco County Government and municipalities and helps fund school repairs, renovations, and construction. By law, those dollars may be used only for capital improvements (building new schools, renovating or updating existing schools, for example) and not for teacher salaries, school resource officers, or safety personnel. The voted millage referendum renewal that will be on the ballot in November provides operating funds, which must remain separate from facility funding and only be spent in accordance with the ballot language. 

Yes. Although vacancies have improved significantly since 2022, Pasco County Schools still has openings in key areas, including special education and other hard-to-fill positions. To remain competitive, the district must continue working to attract and retain qualified teachers and staff, especially since low pay is consistently one of the top reasons teachers leave. Our goal is not only to fill vacancies, but to ensure that Pasco students are served by the strongest possible teachers and support staff.

The district is making strong progress. Student achievement is improving, and Pasco earned an A rating by the State for the first time since 2008. Just as importantly, the district has no D or F schools for the first time since 2004. Additionally, graduation rates, industry certifications, dual enrollment, and scholarships are all on the rise. Passage of the referendum allows the district to accelerate progress with the expansion of proven programs, such as career and technical programs to prepare students to fulfill local workforce needs, and programs that fit the unique needs of all students.

Yes, the district has provided raises in addition to the referendum funds each year since 2022, averaging 3%. Even with these raises and the referendum funds, we are close to other districts’ pay in some job categories, but not all. 

No, some administrative positions are required by Florida law, and even cuts to all administration would fall far short of covering the $60 million the referendum generates. Even if the district cut each and every administrator in schools and at the district office – which is not logistically possibly to keep schools running - this would only free up $37.6 million. If the district cut just all district-based administrators, $13.8 million would be available. Also, Pasco also has one of the lowest administrative overheads compared to other districts.

All spending will remain transparent. Financial reports are posted on the district’s website, and millage funds are tracked separately to ensure accountability. In addition, the School Board established a Salary Referendum Oversight Committee in 2022. This group of qualified volunteers reviews the budget, allowable expenditures, and provides an annual report to the Board and community. The committee will continue if the referendum is renewed. Minutes of the Salary Referendum Oversight Committee are posted on our Financial Information page.

Additionally, the district is committed to full financial transparency and provides monthly reports to the public. Our finances are strong, with an AA credit rating and a solid fund balance. The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) awarded its Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial reporting to the district.  In addition, the district has also earned the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) for the past twenty-four years. 

While lottery proceeds do support education funding in Florida, they do not generally represent “extra” funding for school districts.  Instead, lottery proceeds are used as a funding source within the State’s overall education budget.  These funds also support Bright Futures Scholarships and performance incentive programs as determined by the Legislature.   

Public education impacts everyone. Quality education equates to quality-of-life issues, such as community safety, pride, and economic development. It results in higher incomes, better jobs, rising property values, and visitor attractions. Today's students are your future doctors and healthcare providers, construction workers, electricians, plumbers, and engineers. Generations before us helped support the education we received. Investing in the next generation is a time-honored American tradition and a community-wide responsibility.

Yes. In fact, counties that have passed similar referenda — such as Sarasota and St. Johns — have seen great academic success. Orange, Clay, Miami-Dade, Charlotte, Manatee, Marion, Lake, Palm Beach, and others have passed similar measures. Hernando, Hillsborough, and Pinellas have referenda that passed (Hillsborough) or renewed (Hernando and Pinellas) in 2024. Pinellas has had a referendum for instructional staff for many years and added non-instructional staff to their referendum in 2024. Polk has a referendum on the ballot for the first time in November 2026.