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Nassau school board approves resolution to place up-to-1 mill referendum on November ballot
Summary
The Nassau County School Board voted to approve Resolution No. 1378 to place an up-to-1 mill property-tax referendum on the November ballot after public commenters and board members argued it would fund teacher pay, safety and programs; the superintendent said the district can educate voters but not advocate.
The Nassau County School Board approved Resolution No. 1378 on Thursday to place an up-to-1 mill property-tax referendum before county voters in November.
Public commenters urged the move. Resident Terry Wayman told the board that opposition was not solely about money but about perceived return on investment, warning that rejecting teacher pay increases could prompt a teacher exodus. "Nassau County is better when Nassau County schools are better," Wayman said.
Ashley Rice, a resident, said the full 1 mill would fund school safety, arts and career-technical programs and help retain teachers. "Art is not extra, art is essential, and the 1 mill helps this become possible," Rice said.
Board members debated the measure before the vote. Board member Mister Zimmerman said his support was staff-focused: "My entire motivation to support this is entirely, at the end of the day, staff based." Another board member emphasized the need to explain to taxpayers why the board votes for the millage and to prepare a plan if voters do not approve it.
Superintendent Dr. Burns reiterated legal limits on board activity and outlined the next steps. "We as a school board and staff district staff here, we cannot advocate for it. We can only give information about how it is used," Burns said. She explained that after the board's resolution the county commission must approve placing it on the ballot and then the supervisor of elections will publish the language for voters.
Dr. Burns and several board members framed the referendum as a response to funding gaps that affect salaries, facilities and safety. The superintendent also noted that charter schools will receive a portion of any millage funds as required by law.
The board approved Resolution No. 1378 by voice vote. The resolution now goes to the county commission and, if approved there, to the supervisor of elections to appear on the November ballot.
