The Martin County School Board has finalized how the Martin County School District would use funding if voters reauthorize the up-to one half-mill property tax on August 23, 2022.

In 2018, Martin County voters approved a millage rate referendum that is now set to expire. Once that happens, MCSD will see a reduction in revenue of approximately $47 million over the next four years unless voters approve a renewal of the referendum.

For the 2022-23 school year, the Board will allocate millage funding to the five categories established under the original referendum item that was approved by voters in 2018:

• School safety and security

• Mental health programs

• Recruiting and retaining teachers & support staff

• Professional development

• Academic initiatives

The Board’s decision is based on input provided through a recent survey and the feedback of teachers and staff and members of the Martin County community. Please click the photo below to watch a brief video produced by WPTV about the School Board's decision on funding.

Upon voters’ reauthorization of the referendum on August 23, the District will distribute allocated funds to teacher and support staff based on direction from the collective bargaining units — the Martin County Education Association (MCEA) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local #597 — while maintaining three additional Martin County Sheriff’s Office deputies as school resource officers at its high schools and two assigned to the early childhood learning campuses.

Mental health programs funded through a successful referendum will include the maintenance and expansion of the AVID program across the district and the continued funding of three additional high school guidance counselors. Funds would also go toward one additional school psychologist, two additional Intervention Problem Solving (IPS) coaches, and 10 additional Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Staff (MTSS) positions.

We invite you to browse answers to frequently asked questions about the impact of the 2018 millage rate referendum and plans for the 2022 millage rate funds if passed for Martin County schools and students.