Although many Florida voters breathed a sigh of relief when the proposed property tax rollback (now Amendment 3) was written to exempt school taxes from any decrease, it is important to note that schools will indeed be impacted, should the ballot issue pass.
Beyond the allocation that our district, Collier County Public Schools, receives annually from the state, the district partners with many other local organizations to provide education to its students and other benefits to the community. These partner organizations that are funded by property taxes will have to look for ways to cut their services when their budgets are reduced.
The services now provided to school districts across the state support student safety, mental health programs, arts enrichment, health and wellness programs, before- and after-school childcare, and recreational initiatives. County-supported organizations like the public libraries and nutritional services augment student needs out of school. Should these programs experience drastic budget cuts, their ability to partner with schools will be jeopardized. School districts may also have to pay higher fees for services or other purchases if organizations institute increases to balance their budgets.
The League of Women Voters of Florida opposes passage of Amendment 3 since it has long opposed efforts to use the state Constitution to limit or steer revenue sources and has been consistent supporters of home rule by municipalities and counties. Voters contemplating supporting Amendment 3 because it exempts school taxes need to recognize that schools will be impacted as well as other essential services, should the ballot issue pass.
For Education Ambassadors Coalition: Sharon Harris-Ewing, President, Interfaith Alliance of Southwest Florida; Virginia Kelly, president, American Association of University Women-Greater Naples Branch; Teresa Stohs, president, League of Women Voters of Collier County.
Read the Letter to the Editor on the Naples Daily News