Palm Beach County voters overwhelmingly approve renewal of teacher-funding property tax

by | Nov 11, 2022



  • Palm Beach County voters chose to renew a property tax measure that helps subsidize school operational costs within the county 
  • Seventy-four percent of voters chose to renew the tax
  • Funds raised through the property tax will primarily be used to increase teacher salaries, but will also partially subsidize student mental health resources, public safety officers, and school art and music programs
  • The measure will be up for renewal once again in 2027

A property tax to fund teacher salaries and miscellaneous school resources was overwhelmingly supported by Palm Beach County voters on election night, renewing the measure for another four years.

Seventy-four percent of voters chose to renew the property tax building upon the support received in 2018 when seventy-two percent of ballots supported the proposal.

Funds raised through the property tax will primarily be used to increase teacher salaries, but will also partially subsidize student mental health resources, public safety officers, and school art and music programs.

School District officials expect more than $200 million to be raised across the next four years.

“The overwhelming support of the 2022 Referendum by Palm Beach County voters is a testament to the community’s commitment to our public school students and teachers,” said Mike Burke, School District of Palm Beach County Superintendent. “By continuing this referendum, voters recognized the importance of school security, student mental health services, teacher pay, and art, music, PE, Choice and Career Technical Education programs.”

From 2018 through the present day, property tax revenue enabled the hiring of 110 school officers, additionally using the funds to increase monetary security allocations for school events.

Further, the increased flow of money facilitated a restructured retention program in wake of the ongoing teacher shortage. Educators with 1 to 4 years of experience received a $1,000 annual retention supplement, those with5 to 9 years of experience got a $5,000 annual retention supplement, while teachers with more than10 years of experience received a $10,000 annual retention supplement.

Per the language of the proposal, a home assessed at $225,000 with a taxable value of $200,000 after the $25,000 school tax homestead exemption, costs $200 per year, according to The Sun Sentinel.

The measure will be up for renewal once again in 2027.

Similar legislation has been put into effect across Florida’s largest School Districts, including Orange County

In 2014 and 2018, Orange County citizens voted to prolong the tax. According to the district, property tax revenue comprises 49 percent of its operational budget.

In Hillsborough County, a tax structure similar to that in Orange County was voted on for the first time but did not receive enough support to pass.

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