Referendum Information

The District and the Education Association of St. Lucie Negotiations Teams met and collaboratively reached an agreement for the utilization of referendum funds earmarked for teacher salaries.  In this agreement, the Board and the Education Association of St. Lucie agreed to a four-year provision for all eligible teachers (including new hires) to receive a Referendum Recruitment and Retention Annual Supplement in the following amounts beginning with the 2019-2020 school year.

• Beginning teachers = $1,000
• 1- 5 years eligible experience = $2,000
• 6-9 years eligible experience = $5,000
• 10 years + eligible experience = $7,800

This supplement is part of the regularly scheduled paychecks, and it also applies to the FRS contribution.  Eligible teachers are those who are newly hired and returning classroom/non-classroom teachers.

• Supports additional efforts by the district to address the mental health needs of children.
• Funds 5 additional social workers bringing the district total to 19.
• Funds 5 behavioral specialists (1 open position to be hired).
• Funds 9 behavior technicians (1 open position to be hired).

1)  A dollar value was assigned to each program/course for every school.  For example, more dollars were allocated for a high school band student than for a middle school student taking an art course.  Considerations were made for instrumentation, refurbishment, uniforms requirements, cost of materials, etc.  A committee met to determine fairness and equity was established across schools and levels.

2)  Schools were then allocated based on the enrollments in the various programs.  Schools with high enrollments in the fine arts (especially ones more costly to operate) received more proportional dollars.

Funds a School Resource Officer on every campus, two on each high school campus.

Chairman:

• Doug Baber – – – Kathryn Hensley Appointee

Committee Members:

• Deb Mock – – – – Troy Ingersoll Appointee
• Brian Garcia– – – Debbie Hawley Appointee
• Chris Taylor – – – Carol A. Hilson Appointee
• Gwen Morris  – – Donna Mills Appointee
• Felicia Bruce   – – EASL Appointee
• Candice Loupe  – At-large Appointee

Referendum to Approve Levying One Mill for Teachers, Safety, Mental Health, and Operational Needs

In order to raise the salaries of teachers and educational support staff, recruit and retain highly qualified teachers, improve school security, improve mental health services, and fund other essential operations that preserve important school programs, shall the St. Lucie County School District levy an ad valorem annual operating millage of one mill for four years, with all funds reviewed by a citizens advisory committee?

YES = FOR additional one mill for School District for four years

NO = AGAINST additional one mill for School District for four years