Referendum 2026

On the Ballot: A Renewal of the Secure the Next Generation Referendum

Secure the Next Generation Referendum Rewnewal

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is presenting voters with a referendum renewal that will appear on the November 3, 2026, general election ballot.

This is not a new tax. It is a renewal of the one-mill property tax voters already approved. The Secure the Next Generation Referendum would continue securing funds for all Broward County public schools — including charter schools — to:

Recruit and retain high-quality teachers and eligible staff by continuing compensation supplements
Maintain and enhance school resource officers and school safety staff
Maintain and enhance essential programs, such as mental health services for students and families

Informational One-Pager

Referendum Town Hall Meetings

Broward County Public Schools will host three Referendum Town Hall meetings to share information about the Secure the Next Generation Referendum renewal, which will appear on the November 3, 2026, General Election ballot.

September 30: Charles W. Flanagan High School
October 7: K.C. Wright Administration Center
October 14: Monarch High School

All meetings will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Livestream details for the October 7 meeting will be announced soon.

WHY DOES BCPS NEED TO RENEW THE REFERENDUM?

The current Secure the Next Generation Referendum, approved by voters in 2022, is set to expire. Those funds currently support:

Approximately $173 million annually in compensation supplements for teachers and eligible staff
393 school safety personnel and $1.7 million in state-of-the-art safety software providing all staff with wearable panic-buttons for immediate security response
More than 224 mental health professionals serving students and families

If not renewed, BCPS would lose approximately $358 million annually currently funding these positions and supplements. Outside of the legislative process, a referendum is the School Board’s only option to continue generating these funds.

The School Board voted to approve and present this referendum on the November 3, 2026, general election ballot for voters to consider continuing their investment in BCPS.

This renewal would allow BCPS to remain competitive with neighboring school districts — Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the School District of Palm Beach County — both of which maintain one-mill referendum investments for similar purposes.

If not renewed, BCPS would lose approximately $358 million annually — funding that currently supports:

Recruit and retain high-quality teachers and staff by increasing compensation

Maintain and enhance school resource officers and school safety staff

Maintain and enhance essential programs, such as mental health services

What is a Mill or Millage Rate?

Ballot Language

This item will appear on your ballot as School Board Question 1

Fund School Employee Pay, Safety, and Mental Health through a One-Mill Property Tax Levy

To enhance school safety and mental health services, recruit and retain highly qualified teachers and essential employees, improve student achievement, and support critical school operations, shall the School Board of Broward County continue to levy a one-mill ad valorem property tax from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2030, to fund school safety personnel, mental health services, increased compensation for teachers, and school-based support staff for public and charter schools?

_____Yes or _____No

Broward County Resolution

What percentage of voters must approve this for it to pass?

Intended Allocation

How will referendum funds be allocated, and who decides?

The School Board of Broward County votes annually on how referendum funds are allocated, with public opportunity to comment before any dollars are distributed. The District will use its Board-established audit committee to confirm funds are spent as voters approved. Additionally, the Board has adopted a restriction ensuring referendum funds will not be used for top administrator compensation going forward.

The referendum renewal would continue securing funds for all public schools — including charter schools — to:

90% or more to provide compensation supplements to recruit and retain teachers and eligible staff
Up to 10% to provide funding for school resource officers and school safety staff, and to preserve important programs, such as mental health services and personnel.

Informational Materials

Homeowner Cost

Because this is a renewal at the same one-mill rate, the annual cost to property owners remains based on their School Board taxable value. One mill equals $1 in taxes for every $1,000 of taxable property value (or $100 per $100,000).

The average homeowner with a home market value of $652,756 and a School Board taxable value of $417,877 would invest approximately $418 that year, or $35 per month — similar to what they currently invest.*
The average condo owner with a condo market value of $296,524 and a School Board taxable value of approximately $230,002 would invest approximately $230 that year, or $19 per month — similar to what they currently invest.*
If approved by voters, the referendum would generate approximately $358 million annually — including $283 million for District-operated schools and $75 million for charter schools. The referendum renewal would cover four school years beginning with the 2027/28 school year.

*A homeowner’s/condo owner’s investment varies based on their School Board taxable value as determined by the Broward County Property Appraiser and may be subject to change annually. Homeowner and condominium owner data and averages were provided by the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office. For Informational Purposes Only.

What does this referendum currently fund?

COMPENSATION SUPPLEMENTS

75% of budgeted referendum funds (approximately $173 million in 2026) support compensation supplements for the following employee groups:

Employee Group	Min–Max Annual Amount	Average
Security	$1,119 – $3,378	$1,693
Teachers	$500 – $14,507	$8,750
Paraprofessionals	$1,137 – $5,651	$2,321
Food Service Workers	$502 – $3,886	$1,211
Maintenance	$1,829 – $4,595	$3,564
Transportation	$1,257 – $2,450	$1,714
Facilities	$909 – $3,895	$2,180
TSP (Technical Support Professional)	$1,947 – $6,836	$4,281
COPA (Clerical)	$1,775 – $4,249	$2,872
Clerical	$686 – $2,657	$2,020

SAFETY AND SECURITY

17% of referendum funds collected (approximately $39 million) were invested in safety and security with approximately 393 positions and software, including:

Personnel (393 positions):

Security Specialists — 185
School Resource Officer Contracted Services — 201
Armed school safety officers (contracted guardians) — 7
Athletic event and summer program contracted security officers — $1.6 million

Safety Technology and Services:

Centegix and SaferWatch software licenses — $1.7 million

MENTAL HEALTH

8% of collected referendum funds (approximately $18 million) were invested in mental health with approximately 224 positions, including:

Behavior Intervention Specialists — 11
Family Counselors & Therapists — 30
Guidance Counselors (Elementary) — 30
Guidance Directors (High) — 5
Mental Health Support Positions (Admin Assistant) — 24
School Nurses — 17
School Psychologists — 16
School Social Workers — 14
Teachers (includes Hospital Homebound/Suicide Prevention) — 77

Accountability and Fund Oversight

2018 Secure the Next Generation Reporting

2022 Secure the Next Generation Reporting

Teacher Pay

Teacher sitting in classroom smiling, students in the background

Recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers requires competitive compensation. Referendum-funded supplements help BCPS compete with neighboring districts — Miami-Dade and Palm Beach — both of which maintain one-mill referendum investments. Without renewal, BCPS would lose approximately $173 million annually in teacher and staff compensation supplements.

Senate Bill 7026

The State of Florida as part of Senate Bill 7026 requires every school to have a school safety officer, but does not provide full funding to meet the mandate. This prompted Broward County Public Schools, and districts statewide, to find funding elsewhere.