Community Corner
Tax Increase Would Pay For School Employee Raises
The school board is considering asking for a tax rate increase to pay for raises for employees like school bus drivers and janitors.
School employees like custodians and cafeteria workers, in addition to teachers, would get a raise under the proposed 2013-2014 Pasco County School budget, according to this Tampa Tribune story.
But to pay for it, Pasco County residents would have to foot the bill with a slight tax increase.
Under the tentative school budget, a home owner of a $125,000 house, after taking the $25,000 homestead exemption, would pay $735.70 in school taxes, an increase of $1.60 over the current rate, according to the Tribune story.
The school board has the authority to request the tax increase in its budget, but the rate would still require state approval. The school employee's raise would still have to be determined during union negotiations.
A second and final public hearing about the Pasco County School Budget is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sept. 17 at 7227 Land O' Lakes Blvd.
What do you think about the potential tax rate increase to fund school employee pay? Tell us in the comments.
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