A new campaign has been launched that hopes to benefit Hillsborough County Public School students. The Vote Yes for Students campaign will encourage residents to vote in favor of a one mill property tax increase in November in order to provide better funding for county schools. The campaign is supported by the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association (HCTA), Hillsborough Education Foundation (HEF), Hillsborough Schools Employee Federation (HSEF), parents, students, business and community leaders, and other supporters of public
education.
Supporters kicked off the campaign on August 1, at the HCTA headquarters in West Tampa. The campaign hopes to highlight the need for additional funding for Hillsborough County schools, one of the largest school districts in the country, where teachers make less than their counterparts around the state.
This lack of funding has led to a teacher deficit in Hillsborough, with over 500 teacher vacancies as of July 2024.
The millage would provide funding to increase pay for Hillsborough County teachers, staff, assistant principals and principals, allowing the district to hire and retain high quality teachers by making salaries competitive with neighboring districts.
If the millage passes in November, Hillsborough County Public Schools would receive an estimated $177 million to support students each year – $150.4 million to district schools and $26.6 million to charter schools.
The cost to a typical homeowner in Hillsborough would be less than $300 a year.
Providing students with the best resources
If the property tax increase does pass in November, proceeds from the millage will go to support teacher salaries.
“Our students deserve the best education, and with the help of Hillsborough County voters, we can keep our great teachers right here in the district,” said Rob Kriete, president, HCTA. “This referendum will help hire and retain great teachers, which we know leads to higher graduation rates, better educational outcomes for kids of all ages, and even better economic growth in the region. That’s why this yes vote for student success is so important.”
According to HEF President and CEO Anna Corman, neighboring counties of Pinellas, Pasco, Sarasoa, Manatee and Hernando all have an additional line of their property to support teachers. Now she wants Hillsborough to do the same.
“So much of our great talent gets hired away and we want them to stay and see their students succeed,” said Corman.
The millage would only be in effect for four years. However, the campaign hopes the impact on students’ success will be significant and long-lasting.
Click here to learn more about the Vote Yes For Students campaign.
