FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — There are big stakes on this November’s ballot for Broward and Miami-Dade County public schools.
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It is up to voters in both districts whether to renew a tax that gives hundreds of millions to schools and staff.
In Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, the Broward County Public Schools superintendent, the teachers union president and other leaders came together.
It is not a new tax. This would renew the one already passed by voters.
The district is already closing schools and losing thousands of students every year.
“We’ve had to make a lot of tough decisions, especially the past two years with declining enrollment, which has also reduced our revenue source,” BCPS Superintendent Howard Hepburn said.
Hepburn said if the district lost the tax, more cuts would be inevitable.
“We would lose approximately $358 million. We would have to make some tough decisions that would definitely have an impact on our district,” Hepburn said.
The tax supports school safety workers and hundreds of mental health professionals.
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But mostly, it supports teachers and staff, with $173 million a year.
Without it, the teachers union president said there is no question staff will leave after they lose a big chunk of their paycheck.
“More than teachers will leave,” Broward Teachers Union President Anna Fusco said. “Again, it helps every rank-and-file worker paycheck. Everybody.”
Down in Miami-Dade County, district leaders also stood side by side Tuesday.
Their own tax, giving schools roughly $570 million, is also up for renewal.
“Today’s a proud day because here we are again standing for what we believe in: A better community,” Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Rafael Villalobos said.
Most of the money is dedicated to teacher salaries, with some going to school safety and security.
“I know this community understands the importance and the viability of education, and they will do the same in 2026,” Villalobos said.
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