A tentative Monroe County School District spending plan totaling nearly $300 million seeks to raise even more property tax dollars than the previous year — and that’s despite a slight drop in the proposed millage rate. This comes as the school district grapples with some 28 vacant teacher positions as students return to the classroom Aug. 10.
Monroe County school board members unanimously approved a tentative 2023-2024 budget following a public hearing at Coral Shores High School on Aug. 1. A tentative millage rate of 2.8960, which is expected to generate some $120 million in property tax dollars, was also approved by the board. Last year, the school board adopted a 2.9620 millage rate that gathered around $108.7 million in property taxes.
A budget breakdown shows day-to-day operational expenses totaling $149.20 million for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Capital projects account for $89.85 million, followed by debt service, $20.65 million.
Dustin Tran, school district comptroller, said an additional $12 million in spending this year will largely go toward teacher raises, $4.8 million, and pay hikes for other school district personnel, $3.2 million.
Property values in Monroe County have soared since the COVID pandemic saw many people desiring a home on the islands. Along with new construction coming online, the county’s assessed tax roll has eclipsed $52 billion this year — up from $44 billion the previous year.
“Before COVID-19, our average increase on our property value was around 6%. Last year, we experienced a 32% increase in our property (value),” Tran said.
And while property tax collections for the school district continue to increase, Tran said state funding for schools has largely remained the same since 2013. Tran said the school district is expected to receive around $12 million in state funding.
Homesteaded properties are limited to a 3% increase per the Save Our Homes amendment. Such homes also qualify for a $25,000 homestead exemption, which lowers the assessed value of the home by $25,000.
Homesteaded properties will see a roughly $12 increase on their tax bills, while homes with no homestead exemption could see an increase of $111.80 from the previous year.
While school board member John Dick supported the budget, he shared concerns about the 28 vacant teacher positions. Dick said teachers in classrooms are important for academic success.
“Hopefully that number changes, (but) that’s a big problem to me,” he said. “Who’s going to be in front of those classrooms? And where I think the problem arises, and we have to see this because the future is not looking bright, fewer people are going into college to be teachers.”
Dick said the district should also examine and reduce its 72 administrators as a way to give more money to teachers.
“I think we can condense that and get a couple more thousand dollars into everybody’s pocket,” he said.
A budget workshop is set for Aug. 22 at Marathon High School. A public hearing on the final budget is set for Sept. 5 in Key West.
