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The Pinellas County Schools Referendum is up for renewal
Sept. 25, 2020
Referendum funds boost reading, music and art programs; provide up-to-date technology and textbooks; and help recruit and retain quality teachers.
Pinellas County voters have supported the renewal of the half-mill property tax every four years since it was first approved in 2004. An independent committee oversees the distribution of funds to ensure that money is spent as voters intended. Every penny collected through the Referendum is locally controlled and benefits Pinellas County teachers and students.
The Referendum:
- Helps recruit and retain quality teachers: Eighty percent of the Referendum revenue supplements teacher salaries. This year, each teacher receives a salary supplement of $5,231 as part of their base salary.
- Provides the latest technology to engage students in learning and prepare them for college and careers.
- Funds small-group literacy programs, diverse classroom libraries, and extra training opportunities for teachers.
- Provides all schools with equitable funding for quality art supplies, equipment and technology that help students produce strong and award-winning works of art.
- Supplies music, theater and dance equipment, band uniforms, instruments and sound systems that support nationally recognized performing arts programs.
To learn more, visit www.pcsb.org/referendum or see the PCS Referendum video: https://youtu.be/n9SZa6cwfhE. PCS has also produced a Spanish-language Referendum education video: https://youtu.be/wECerKdkdPk.