2026 School Referendum
2026 Referendum Renewal:
Continuing the Local Investment in Students and Teachers
Continuing the Local Investment in Students and Teachers
On November 3, 2026, Palm Beach County voters will decide on the renewal of the 1.0 mill property tax levy that supports our students, teachers and schools. This local funding stays right here in Palm Beach County and has supported our schools since 2019. It is important to note that this is a renewal of an existing measure and not a new tax.
Directly Supporting our Teachers and Students
50%
Teacher
Pay
Salary supplements to attract and retain high-quality educators.
25%
Career/Choice
Positions
Funding for 900+ teachers in arts, music, and specialized academies.
25%
Mental Health,
School Security
School Police, security staff, and mental health professionals.
OFFICIAL BALLOT LANGUAGE
School District of Palm Beach County, Florida Referendum
Election: November 3, 2026
REFERENDUM TO CONTINUE AD VALOREM LEVY FOR
SCHOOL SAFETY, TEACHERS, AND OPERATIONAL NEEDS
Shall the School District of Palm Beach County have continued authority to levy 1.00 mills of ad
valorem millage for operational needs of public schools dedicated to funding school safety;
school police; mental health services; arts, music, physical education, career and choice
program teachers; and improved teacher pay beginning July 1, 2027 and automatically ending
June 30, 2031, with oversight of all funds by an independent committee of citizens and experts?
_____ YES
_____ NO
en Español / an Kreyòl
Supporting Student Success Throughout Palm Beach County
Students are thriving in Palm Beach County schools in large part because of the robust support of our community. The School District of Palm Beach County is proud to be an “A” rated school district celebrating its highest-ever graduation rate for the Class of 2025. Palm Beach County School District is also designated as one of only 13 Academically High-Performing School Districts by the Florida Department of Education.
Maintaining Competitive Teacher Pay
Local funding allows the District to provide salary supplements that average $8,000 per year for our teachers in Palm Beach County. This investment helps us attract highly-qualified educators and provides the stability our students need in the classroom. Without this support, Palm Beach County would struggle to remain competitive with surrounding regions.
Protecting Choice Programs and Career Academies
These funds provide more than 900 teaching positions across art, music, and physical education. Without them, many of these positions and programs would be cut. This investment also supports robust Choice and Career Academies in specialized fields such as:
- Medical Sciences and Pre-Med
- Engineering and Technology
- Aviation and Aerospace Technology
- Performing Arts
- Culinary Arts and Construction Trades
Solidifying Campus Safety and Mental Health Services
This revenue supports the presence of School Police and security personnel on every District-operated campus. It also helps provide for a dedicated school counselor and a behavioral health professional at every school. These resources are vital to maintaining a safe learning environment and providing the mental health support our students require to thrive.
Promises Made, Promises Kept: Verifying Fiscal Responsibility Through Independent Oversight
The Independent Citizens Oversight Committee, which consists of local volunteers, monitors every dollar collected and spent. This committee reviews all expenditures to verify that the funds are used exactly as outlined in the ballot language. This process protects the integrity of the community investment and provides a clear accounting of all referendum spending.
Not Renewing Would Lead to Teacher Pay Cuts, Jobs Eliminated, and Less Student Safety Funding
If the referendum is not renewed, there will be significant impacts to teachers and student support services throughout the School District of Palm Beach County.
- Teachers would face an immediate pay cut averaging $8,000 per year for every District teacher.
- 900+ teaching positions in the arts, physical education, and Choice programs would be eliminated.
- Significantly less funding available for student safety and mental health support.
Enrollment-Based Allocation
In accordance with Florida law, referendum revenues are shared with all District-operated schools and eligible public charter schools in Palm Beach County. The distribution is calculated based on each school's proportionate share of the total school district enrollment.