Osceola County schools seek property tax vote to avoid cuts to teachers, safety

The School District of Osceola County is asking voters to consider approving a property tax that district officials say is critical to avoiding deep cuts to staff, school safety and student programs over the next four years. The district is requesting the Osceola County Commission place a referendum question on the November ballot asking voters to approve or reject an operational millage to help fund both traditional and charter schools. Superintendent Dr. Mark Shanoff said the stakes couldn’t be higher.“We are now at a point where it’s going to be pretty catastrophic over the next four years if we don’t do something,” Shanoff said.The proposed millage — one mill — equals $1 for every $1,000 of taxable property value. For a home with a taxable value of $200,000, that works out to $200 per year. If approved, the millage would last for four years.“One mill, we have calculated, would generate $62.5 million. Now because about 25% of our students attend charter schools, we would need to pro