Escambia school board adopts tentative 2025-26 millage, $856.1 million tentative budget after heated debate

Escambia County School Board members voted on July 31 to adopt tentative millage rates and a tentative total budget of $856,115,363 for the 2025–26 fiscal year, after several board members debated whether to raise local property taxes to maintain employee pay and services amid state funding declines.

The board approved a series of tentative millage and budget items during the special meeting, including a discretionary operating millage of 0.748 and a general fund tentative budget of $400,849,570. Multiple items were approved with votes of either 5–0 or 4–1 depending on the line item; the capital improvement millage and the tentative total budget each passed 4–1.

Board members who supported the millage and budget said the increase would give the district flexibility to maintain employee salaries and benefits and to avoid disruptive staffing vacancies when the school year begins. “I too am gonna support this. I am… pleased to see the growth of our district moving in such a positive manner,” said Board Member Burgos, who said she wanted to preserve…