In a 4-1 decision on Tuesday, May 26, the Leon County School Board voted to move forward with a property tax millage referendum, clearing the way for voters to decide this November whether to increase taxes to fund employee salaries and school safety. The debate preceding the vote highlighted deep divisions over administrative spending and the timing of a tax increase during a period of rising property values.
The adopted resolution specifically targets “compensation” for teachers and staff. Board members spent significant time debating the word “compensation” versus “pay,” eventually settling on the former because it is broader and includes benefits. While the ballot title focuses on teachers due to word count limits, the full 75-word ballot language will explicitly include support staff, such as bus drivers, custodians, and cafeteria workers.
The lone dissenting vote came from Laurie Cox, who expressed deep concern over the burden on local taxpayers. Cox noted that while the board had not raised the millage rate in years, rising property values have already resulted in de facto tax increases. “I just feel like right now is not the right time to ask our taxpayers for more money,” Cox said, arguing the district should find savings within its existing budget rather than adding to a tax load that already includes the Children’s Services Council.
Other members, however, argued that the district has reached a breaking point. Rosanne Wood contended that the board has already “cut to the bone”. She noted that Leon County is competing with Georgia, where teachers often make significantly more, and with 29 other Florida counties that have already passed similar millage increases. Wood stated that to find equivalent funding without the tax, the district would have to close approximately 26 neighborhood schools, which she called “pillars of our communities”.
Member Smith offered what she called “reluctant support”. Though she campaigned on increasing teacher salaries, she expressed frustration that the board had not pursued school consolidations or administrative downsizing before asking the public for more money. Ultimately, she decided to support the measure to let the community decide the value of teacher pay.
Member Daryl Jones emphasized the importance of “direct democracy,” framing the vote as an opportunity for citizens to weigh in on community values.
Addressing public concerns about “administrative bloating,” the Chair Marcus Nicolas acknowledged the issue but insisted the board could “walk and chew gum at the same time,” addressing administrative structure through separate, ongoing discussions while the tax measure proceeds.
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