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Oversight committee reviews Referendum spending

Jan. 17, 2025

The Independent Citizens Referendum Oversight Committee met Tuesday to review spending for the first quarter of  the school year. The committee meets four times a year to ensure that Referendum money is spent as voters intended. 

Funds from the Referendum boost reading, music and art programs, provide up-to-date technology, and recruit and retain quality staff. Currently 80 percent of funds go to a salary supplement for teachers. This year's supplement is $6,967. In November, voters approved changing the millage rate to 1.0 mill, consistent with surrounding counties.

After the new Referendum takes effect in July, teachers will receive a larger salary supplement and support employees will begin receiving a supplement. Additional funding will also expand opportunities to enrich the student experience. More details will be shared in the spring after input from various advisory boards.

Each ICROC meeting includes presentations on the overall budget and various content areas: Elementary and Middle English Language Arts/Reading, Visual Arts. Performing Arts, Technology and Library Media. The committee also reviews Referendum expenditures for charter schools, which receive funds based on enrollment. At most meetings, a specific content area is highlighted for the committee. 

On Tuesday, the meeting highlighted how the Referendum supports Pinellas County Schools literacy work. Elementary Reading and Language Arts Specialist Holly Slaughter shared how the district's English Language Arts results are trending upward in key areas, and how our students are outperforming the state when we compare results between this year and last year.

"We don't want the state to be the bar. We want to be the bar," Slaughter said. "We are already showing that we are accelerating our students at a faster trajectory, not only when we compare it to the state, but when compare it to ourselves."

Chief Academic Officer Donnika Jones said this work is benefiting the community, helping to ensure that our scholars become educated citizens and professionals.

"When we get scholars to read earlier at a proficient level, first of all they are going to graduate, secondly they are going to score better and third they are going to take care of us."

Superintendent Kevin Hendrick visited the meeting to thank the committee for their work. He also shared plans for School Board member inclusion on advisory boards for each content area and upcoming updates to School Board Policy on the new Referendum. Board members will also take turns attending quarterly meetings.

The complete report, which includes expenditures from Referendum content areas, is available on the district website. See the ICROC Quarter 1 Report