Duval Plans To Increase Property Taxes To Aid In Student Programs and Teacher Pay
Over the past week, the Duval County School Board has met to discuss the possibility of asking voters to increase property taxes in order to increase the financial aid for students programs such as arts and athletics as well as increasing teachers salaries. Dr. Diana Greene, a Duval County Public Schools Superintendent, proposed this idea. Greene emphasises the fact that, “the number of district teaching vacancies hovers around 400 positions, leaving many classrooms supported by substitutes, administrators, or teachers forced to double up in responsibilities.” The proposal has not yet been decided, while News4Jax.com says the Duval County School Board will resume the discussion March 1st. There already has been some backlash from Councilmen in the neighbouring areas of Jacksonville. That said, Greene takes into consideration how previous tax raises have not turned out as planned. According to Travis Gibson, a News4Jax reporter, “noting the half-penny sales tax that was passed by voters in 2020 can only be used for facility maintenance, safety upgrades, repairs and renovation.” Tweaking this tax raise could benefit so many students, teachers and parents in Duval and other school districts if it gets passed. Teachers will be paid more and students will have more access to extracurricular programs to enhance learning and experience.
By: Caroline Triplett
