Hillsborough County commissioners vote to appeal judge's decision to approve teacher pay referendum
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. - In the latest volley in a back-and-forth between Hillsborough County commissioners and the school board, commissioners have voted to appeal a decision by a judge to place a teacher pay referendum on the November ballot.
County commissioners held a meeting Wednesday where they discussed the latest development by the court to order the commission to place the school board's millage referendum on the November 2024 ballot.
They voted along party lines, with the commission's four Republican commissioners voting to appeal that court's decision in an attempt to again block the referendum. Chief Assistant County Attorney Rob Brazell outlined that the notice of appeal will be filed on Wednesday.
"This seems to be a direct attack on democracy, nay, a direct attack on our constitutional republic. [The judge] has essentially told seven elected officials how they must vote," said Commissioner Josh Wostal, who proposed the motion to appeal.
"If I have a possibility of postponing this to a matter of a time when the economy is better, I need to exercise it for the people I serve," added Commissioner Christine Miller.
The board's three Democratic commissioners voted against an appeal, with Commissioner Pat Kemp saying, "this decision belongs to the voters."
READ: Hillsborough commission ordered by judge to include teacher pay referendum on November ballot
The school board initially proposed the referendum as an initiative to increase teacher pay, leading the commission to vote against the referendum, citing a desire to delay and put the referendum on the 2026 ballot.
The school board responded by holding an emergency meeting where they voted 4-3 to file a lawsuit against the commission.
Superintendent Van Ayres responded by applauding the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit judge's decision.
"Every child, everyone deserves the best classroom experience possible. And that's exactly what this millage is about," Ayres said.
READ: Hillsborough school board sues county commission over teacher pay referendum ballot measure delay
With the county now appealing the ruling, Ayres says the district will continue to push for an expedited case.
That's because the referendum would have to be submitted to the supervisor of elections by August 20 to be included on the ballot. He released the following statement:
"We are going to do everything we can to ensure the referendum is on the ballot in November of this year," Ayres said. "We are disappointed the County Commission wants to continue this in the courts instead of following the judge’s very clear and strong order to put the referendum on the ballot now. Hillsborough County Public Schools continues to be the number one choice for families in our community. This millage would support more than 220,000 students who all deserve the best classroom experience possible."
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