TAMPA, Fla. – Hillsborough County Public Schools is hosting a series of town hall meetings to help residents learn more about a referendum to raise teacher pay that they will vote on in November.
The need for raises was not questioned during Monday’s town hall meeting at Gaither High School.
“Like everyone else, I believe teachers need more resources. They need more money. They are not paid enough,” said Robert Calvert, whose children attend the Gaither school.
“I think they deserve it,” said Layla Collins, whose two children attend school in the district. “I work as a substitute teacher, so I know how hard this is.”
However, district and teachers union leaders were urged to answer some details of the referendum.
“In this referendum, there is no guarantee that the money will go directly to salaries,” Collins said. “Like any business, you have to get yourself in order first. Are we spending the money in the right places first?”
The referendum would increase property taxes for the average household by $281 per year. Superintendent Van Ayres told those attending the meeting that this would provide a $6,000 raise for the district’s 13,000 teachers.
“We are a people-centered company. We need great individuals. Ultimately, it’s about providing the best educational experience possible for our kids,” Ayres said.
Ayres told attendees that while the money is earmarked for operating costs, it will be used to increase teacher salaries, which supporters said is important to retain and recruit the best teachers.
“We need to get the money to the district so that teachers get the same pay as in all the other districts around us,” said Laura Tucker of the Hillsborough County Democratic Public Education Caucus.
Concerns also arose about additional costs for residents amid already rising costs. Officials said there is never a good time for tax increases, and Ayres told Spectrum News public schools are a pressing need in the community.
“It’s about having a high-quality teacher and a great leader in every building, and what keeps me up at night is the fact that we don’t have that everywhere,” Ayres said.
Voters will be asked to vote on the referendum on November 5.
Another town hall meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 24th from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Alonso High School in Tampa. Information about future meetings can be found on the HCPS website.
