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School board receives ICROC annual report and approves referendum oversight policy amendment
Summary
The Pinellas County School Board received the Independent Citizens Referendum Oversight Committee (ICROC) annual report highlighting $67.6 million in referendum-driven spending and approved an amendment to Policy 2140 to codify how referendum funds will be used.
The Pinellas County School Board received the 2023–24 annual report from the Independent Citizens Referendum Oversight Committee (ICROC) and approved an amendment to Policy 21‑40 on March 20, 2025, that codifies how the district will allocate referendum revenue.
ICROC chair Reagan Miller told the board that referendum revenue allowed the district to allocate approximately $67,600,000 in the 2023–24 school year to retain and recruit teachers. The board-approved policy amendment designates 70% of referendum funds for teacher salaries and benefits, 15% for support staff salaries and benefits, and 15% for reading, visual and performing arts, and technology. The policy amendment takes effect July 1, 2024, the district said.
Nut graf: The amendment formally aligns the board’s spending priorities with the ballot language voters approved in November 2024 and creates a standing oversight mechanism — ICROC — to review quarterly expenditures and report to the public.
Board members and presenters emphasized teacher pay as a central use of the funds. ICROC and district staff said the referendum provided a $6,328 annual supplement to each teacher in the cited year and funded programs in arts and reading. District staff and ICROC members told the board the committee meets quarterly to review expenditures and verify consistency with voter intent. ICROC membership named in the presentation includes representatives from the Pinellas County Economic Development Council, Concerned Organization for the Quality of Education of Black Students, League of Women Voters, Pinellas Realtors, Arts for Complete Education, the Pinellas County Council of PTAs, and the Pinellas Education Foundation.
Superintendent Michael Hendrick (introduced each time as superintendent) and board members thanked the committee for oversight. Several board members said the policy and the independent oversight gave voters confidence to renew the referendum. The board voted 7–0 to approve the policy amendment.
Ending: District staff said committees and affected employee groups will move to implement the salary changes and program allocations beginning July 1, 2024, and ICROC will continue quarterly reviews and annual reports to the board and public.
