Brevard School Board to vote on millage rate increase for November ballot

Florida Today | By Bailey Gallion | April 26, 2022

The Brevard County School Board will vote Tuesday night on whether to place a property tax increase to fund staff pay on the Nov. 8 ballot.

The vote Tuesday will not increase property taxes – the final matter would be left for Brevard voters to decide. School Board Chair Misty Belford said she believes this makes the resolution likely to pass. Three members will need to vote in favor of the millage increase in order to place it on the ballot.

If the measure is put to voters and passes, Brevard land owners will pay $1 more for every $1,000 of their property value for the next five years. Owners of a property worth $300,000 could pay $300 more per year in taxes, though many owners will pay less due to discounts for resident status, veteran status and more.

The money would go toward funding raises for teachers and other staff and addressing wage compression in BPS’ ranks. Some would also go toward funding improvements to classroom technology and career technical education.

The resolution on Tuesday’s school board agenda notes that Brevard Public Schools has the second most experienced teachers of school districts in the state, yet pays teachers below the state average. Nearby districts including Indian River, Orange County and Seminole County offer higher pay, and Brevard has seen an “alarming” increase in resignations and retirements, according to the resolution.