Few investments are more important to Jacksonville’s future than strong public schools. I am voting “yes” to renew Duval County’s one-mill property tax on Nov. 3 and ask you to join me in so doing.
When
first approved by Duval County voters in 2022, the one-mill referendum boosted each local public school teacher’s salary by an average of $8,600. This in turn helped Duval County Public Schools retain veteran teachers and recruit new ones — teachers whose expertise and encouragement underpin student success.
The one-mill referendum gave us new elementary school playgrounds, safer turf fields and resurfaced tracks and courts so that our students could develop strength and speed. It funded renovated stages, musical instruments and art supplies, which helped our students learn to be performance ready.
These are not extras. They are essential to the educational experience DCPS students need and deserve.
For Duval County property owners, a renewed one-mill means we continue to pay $1 for every $1,000 of our property’s assessed value. Because the average assessed value of a home in Duval County is $275,000, this is an average investment for each homeowner of $275 per year.
That is a sacrifice, to be certain. However, my concern is the larger sacrifice we will all make as a community, if the one-mill referendum is not renewed.
Duval competes with school districts across Florida to recruit and retain talented educators. Neighboring school districts are all supported by one-mill referenda. If DCPS teachers leave for better-paying opportunities in adjacent school districts, students will lose trusted mentors, schools will lose institutional knowledge and the county will inevitably see increased teacher vacancies.
The one-mill referendum also supports DCPS athletics and arts programs, through which students develop skills extending well beyond the classroom. Music, theater and visual arts teach students creativity, confidence and empathy, while athletics imparts teamwork, grit and leadership.
These programs give many young people motivation to come to school outside of classroom learning and build skills they will use well into their college experiences and careers. What message would we be giving our students if our community does not support this aspect of their development as well?
The truth is that the one-mill referendum is about more than a line on our property tax bills.
It is a collective investment in the vision that we should all have for this community:
- A robust public school system directly impacting our competitiveness in attracting new businesses and growing the local economy;
- Access to excellent educators who inspire the physician who one day treats you, the law enforcement officer who one day responds to your call or the teacher who one day teaches future generations in your family; and
- Well-rounded leaders who are encouraged to return home and contribute back to the city which nurtured them as students.
So, on Nov. 3, turn to the very last question on your ballot — the one marked “Duval County School District Ad Valorem Millage Election” — and let's vote “yes” together. Our teachers, students and community are counting on our support.
Charmaine T. M. Chiu is a shareholder and board member at the law firm of Smith Hulsey & Busey. She also serves on the board of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund.
This guest column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of the Times-Union. We welcome a diversity of opinions.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Why Jacksonville should vote ‘yes’ for DCPS 1-mill renewal | Opinion
