FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. \u2014 There are big stakes on this November\u2019s ballot for Broward and Miami-Dade County public schools.<\/p>\n
It is up to voters in both districts whether to renew a tax that gives hundreds of millions to schools and staff.<\/p>\n
Broward, Miami-Dade voters to decide on school measures <\/p>\n
In Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, the Broward County Public Schools superintendent, the teachers union president and other leaders came together.<\/p>\n
It is not a new tax. This would renew the one already passed by voters.<\/p>\n
The district is already closing schools and losing thousands of students every year.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had to make a lot of tough decisions, especially the past two years with declining enrollment, which has also reduced our revenue source,\u201d BCPS Superintendent Howard Hepburn said.<\/p>\n
Hepburn said if the district lost the tax, more cuts would be inevitable.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe would lose approximately $358 million. We would have to make some tough decisions that would definitely have an impact on our district,\u201d Hepburn said.<\/p>\n
The tax supports school safety workers and hundreds of mental health professionals.<\/p>\n
But mostly, it supports teachers and staff, with $173 million a year.<\/p>\n
Without it, the teachers union president said there is no question staff will leave after they lose a big chunk of their paycheck.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore than teachers will leave,\u201d Broward Teachers Union President Anna Fusco said. \u201cAgain, it helps every rank-and-file worker paycheck. Everybody.\u201d<\/p>\n
Down in Miami-Dade County, district leaders also stood side by side Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Their own tax, giving schools roughly $570 million, is also up for renewal.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday\u2019s a proud day because here we are again standing for what we believe in: A better community,\u201d Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Rafael Villalobos said.<\/p>\n
Most of the money is dedicated to teacher salaries, with some going to school safety and security.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know this community understands the importance and the viability of education, and they will do the same in 2026,\u201d Villalobos said.<\/p>\n
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