TAMPA, Fla. — As thousands of students returned to school in the Tampa Bay area, a judge ruled in favor of Hillsborough County Public Schools a second time to put its referendum on the ballot.
Moments later, the county filed an emergency appeal to reverse the decision.
The referendum would raise tax property an extra dollar per thousand of its assessed value. According to the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser’s Office, the cost to a typical homeowner in Hillsborough County would be $281 a year, or about 75 cents a day.
"Today is the first day of class. Thousands of kids don't have a certified teacher for them," said Rob Kriete, Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association president.
The district states it'll raise close to $200 million a year and add $6,000 to each teacher and administrator's salary. All other school employees would receive $3,000 extra per year.
County commissioners who object to the school referendum and feel it's best to postpone it to 2026 argue families are already struggling with the high cost of living.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has criticized the referendum, stating schools should learn to better manage rather than put the burden on taxpayers, during a press conference last month.
"I think taxpayers are sick of it," DeSantis said.
Commissioner Joshua Wostal spoke with 10 Tampa Bay last week and reiterated the county is legally following rules based on Florida Statute 1011.73.
In response to Superintendent Van Ayres' vowing to challenge the commission, Wostal said, "I recall the superintendent screaming at the cameras that he didn't need permission from the county commission and someone over there should remind him that he is an employee, not an elected official."
When asked for his response to voters who feel raising taxes would put a burden on their budgets, Kriete said he recognizes there's no good time to ask, but it's necessary.
"If people really look at what it's going to cost them, I think they will recognize that the investment in our students is worth that amount," he said.
Parents like Marcie Country of South Tampa said she supports the referendum, believing it would mean a better education for her 10-year-old son.
"If they want their kids taught... you have to pay teachers to do stuff like that," she said.
Aug. 20 is the expected deadline when election officials must have the language ready.
Counties like Pinellas, Sarasota and Hernando also have their own referendums aimed to support their school districts.