This is the third renewal of the property tax.

PINELLAS COUNTY – The Pinellas County Schools tax referendum won a landslide 76 percent of the vote during Tuesday’s (Nov. 8) election.

The half-mill property tax strengthens reading, music and art programs; provides up-to-date technology; and helps recruit and retain quality teachers. Pinellas County voters have supported the half-mill property tax four times since 2004, all times by large margins. An independent committee meets regularly to oversee the distribution of funds and ensure that money is spent as voters intended.

The money from the tax:

• Supports all students through new or expanded classroom libraries, additional supplies, increased training opportunities for teachers, and updated computers and technology.
• Funds intensive small-group literacy programs that help students read at grade level, instrument rental fees for students that can’t afford them, and paid admission for field trips to museums and art galleries.
• 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 instruments for elementary music classes, and equipment such as furniture, risers and music stands to ensure equity among music programs throughout the district.
• Helps recruit and retain quality teachers; 80 percent of the revenue supplements teacher salaries. For the 2016-17 school year, the supplement will provide teachers with an additional $3,827.

All the money collected through the taxis locally controlled and goes to Pinellas County classrooms.

For information about Pinellas County Schools, go to pcsb.org.

Pinellas County Schools | School Referendum | Property Tax | Education TB Reporter

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