TAMPA, Fla. — The Hillsborough County School District is celebrating this weekend after winning a legal battle that could help boost teacher pay.

What You Need To Know

  • Hillsborough County School District gathered Saturday to discuss court decision to add tax referendum to the ballot

  • Superintendent Van Ayers says this change will allow voters to decide

  • The school district says the tax, if passed, would provide a financial boost for educators

Friday, a judge ordered the county to place a millage referendum on the ballot. Commissioners tried delaying it for two years, believing that voters would not approve two tax hikes on the same ballot.

Superintendent Van Ayers gathered with school leaders Saturday, announcing what he says is a positive push for educators.

Ayers says adding this to the ballot is a big step to helping educators stay in the county.

“We are grateful that Hillsborough county residents will now have that opportunity to vote on that millage referendum,” said Ayers. “Every child, everyone deserves the best classroom experience possible, and that is exactly what this millage is about.”

He says if this millage referendum is passed, it would allow for more competitive wages.

Right now Hillsborough has 500 teacher vacancies and more than 100 bus driver vacancies.

Ayers says those vacancies can have an impact on student attendance.

Moving forward, the school district says they’ll educate families on the impact of voting yes will mean.