Pasco School Tax Renewal: Voters Renew One-Mill Property Tax for Teacher Pay
WESLEY CHAPEL / PASCO COUNTY, FL — The Pasco school tax renewal passed on Election Day. Pasco County voters, including property owners in Wesley Chapel, renewed the school district’s one-mill property tax for school employee pay on Nov. 3, with roughly 75% voting in favor, according to unofficial results reported by the Hernando Sun.
What Voters Approved
The measure continues the same millage voters first approved in 2022. It is not an additional tax. The levy equals $1 for every $1,000 of taxable property value. The four-year renewal runs from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2031. The existing tax expires in June 2027.
Where the Money Goes
The district says the referendum currently generates about $60 million to supplement eligible employee salaries, including teachers, bus drivers and other support staff. The Tampa Bay Times reported that the tax boosts teacher and staff annual salaries by about 12%. Pasco County Schools said that without renewal, employees would have faced an approximate 12% salary reduction that could not be replaced through other funding.
What Supporters Said
School Board Chair Colleen Beaudoin said the result shows that “people care about education in Pasco County.” Superintendent John Legg said earlier this year that classroom vacancies had dropped by nearly 83% since voters approved the original tax in 2022. A citizen Salary Referendum Oversight Committee reviews the budget and allowable spending and issues an annual report. A political committee, People for Pasco, backed the renewal with $90,000.
Why It Matters in Wesley Chapel
The district points to competition for workers. Hernando, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties passed or renewed their own salary referendums in 2024, and Polk County put one before voters for the first time this November.
Also on the Ballot
Voters also chose two new members of the Pasco School Board, who will join when the board reorganizes. One other seat was filled in the August primary.
📍 Pasco County Schools, Land O’ Lakes, FL (countywide measure)
📅 Election Day, Nov. 3, 2026 (unofficial results); renewal runs July 1, 2027 – June 30, 2031
