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Polk superintendent proposes 1-mill referendum, recommends 80% for pay raises and 20% for arts, safety, CTE
Summary
Superintendent Hyde presented draft referendum language for a proposed 1-mill, four-year ad valorem increase that could raise $72–$80 million annually; he recommended 80% of revenues be used for employee compensation and 20% reserved for fine arts, school safety and career-technical programs, subject to collective bargaining rules.
Polk County Superintendent Hyde presented draft language and priorities on June 10 for a proposed tax referendum that would ask voters to approve an additional 1 mill in ad valorem property taxes for four fiscal years beginning July 1, 2027.
Hyde provided two draft ballot-language options modeled on other Florida districts. Both would ask for an additional 1 mill beginning July 1, 2027 and ending June 30, 2031, and both would include language requiring funds be shared proportionately with charter schools as required by law and overseen by an independent citizens' financial oversight committee.
Revenue projections presented to the board estimate a 1-mill increase could generate about $72 million to $80 million annually. Hyde recommended allocating 80% of the proceeds to recruitment and retention (additional compensation for district employees) and holding 20% annually for strategic investments such as expansion of fine and performing arts, enhanced school safety and security measures, career and technical education facilities and workforce development.
Hyde cautioned that if the board designates referendum revenue for pay, the district would have to bargain with employee unions under Florida's Public Employee Relations Act. "Implementation will still require bargaining regarding the amounts," Hyde said, noting negotiations must address distribution method, eligibility, whether increases become part of base pay or are supplements, and timing of payouts.
The superintendent also outlined potential uses for the 20% set-aside but did not recommend specific dollar allocations. Examples included: districtwide replacement of stage and sound systems on a four-year rotation, expanded field-trip and arts-enrichment funding for K-8 grades, facility hardening and camera upgrades, additional counselors and behavioral-threat assessment resources, and equipment upgrades for vocational labs. Hyde suggested an independent citizens oversight committee would meet quarterly and publicly report on expenditures.
Board members asked for adjustments and raised priorities. Board member Sharpless suggested including early-learning supports in the referendum language; others expressed preference for the second draft of the ballot language and for preserving the 80/20 split. Hyde said staff would refine the draft language and consider options including different millage levels or mixes of uses; he noted staff would need legal review and county approval before placing language on a ballot.
Ending: No binding action was taken; the board asked staff to refine draft ballot language, include possible alternatives and return with additional analysis ahead of any decision to place a referendum on the ballot.
