UPDATE: The school district now says the average taxable value to single family homes and condos is approximately $8.50 per month.
EARLIER:
St. Lucie County residents will be asked this spring to vote on a property tax hike to pay for teacher salaries, and school security measures.
If approved, the average homeowner with a $200,000 home would pay an extra $14 a month over four years.
Around 70 percent of the $22 million raised annually would go toward teacher salaries.
Superintendent Wayne Gent says they need to keep pace after recent referendum passed in Martin and Palm Beach counties.
Teachers can earn anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 more a year in those counties.
Right now, St. Lucie County starting teacher salaries are the lowest from Palm Beach north to Indian River and Okeechobee Counties.
“Our most important precious natural resource is the boys and girls in our school centers. We can not afford to have one of our highly qualified teachers or staff members go to a different district," said Gent.
“This funding for the next four years will ensure school resource deputies will continue to be in the schools," said St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken Mascara.
Mail-in ballots will be sent out by April 3, with a return deadline of April 23.
The district will be hosting Town Hall meetings to discuss the referendum.
Monday March 4: Ft. Pierce Central HS Auditorium 6-7pm
Tuesday March 5: St. Lucie West Centennial HS Auditorium 6-7pm
Wednesday March 6: PSL High School Cafeteria 6-7pm
Thursday March 7: Lincoln Park Academy 6-7pm