FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, November 9, 2018
CONTACT
BillieAnne Gay, gay@fsba.org, 850.528.9104
Historic Voter Turnout in Florida Demonstrates Strong Support for Public Schools
Tallahassee, FL – Florida experienced historic voter turnout with over 7 million Floridians casting their vote in the 2018 General Election on November 6. The 2018 election cycle has illustrated the public’s tremendous support for Florida’s public schools by the election or re-election of 212 school board members and the passage of all 24 major school related referenda on the ballot.
Of the 24 school-related local referenda approved by voters across Florida, 20 authorized additional revenue from sales or property taxes to support school district safety, operating and construction needs. Three other voter-approved items will shift the selection of district school superintendents in the school district from partisan election to appointment by the school board, as is the current practice in 26 Florida school districts.
“The voter approval of these referenda illustrates the fact that citizens understand the increasing demands on school districts operating with limited state funds,” commented Florida School Boards Association (FSBA) President and Suwanee County School Board Member Jerry Taylor. “More important, it highlights the level of trust communities have in their locally elected school board members…