The Pinellas County School Board gave tentative approval Tuesday night to a tax rate increase that will, for now, keep additional budget cuts at bay.

The proposed new property tax rate of $8.35 for every $1,000 of taxable property value — up from last year’s rate of $8.06 — is the foundation of a $1.4 billion budget that includes $37.7 million in federal stimulus money and no pay raises for teachers.

The owner of a home with a taxable value of $150,000 after exemptions would pay $1,253 — up $44 from last year. But with Pinellas property values down by 11 percent, the proposed increase will still bring in $45.6 million less than last year.

The board will take a final vote on the budget and tax rate on Sept. 15.

In other business, the board voted 7-0 to approve a legal agreement that requires the district to put more focus on improving the achievement of black students.

The “memorandum of understanding” is a spin-off of Bradley vs. the Pinellas School Board, the 45-year-old case behind the integration of Pinellas schools. It now goes for approval to U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday, who is overseeing the case.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com

Popularity: unranked [?]