08/06/2026
ESCAMBIA SCHOOL BOARD VOTES FOR PROPOSED TAX INCREASE
Needed, the school board says by their 4-1 vote, to bridge the gap between declining enrollment revenues and sustaining higher student achievement.
By John Singley
PENSACOLA, Fla (Aug 6, 2026) “It will only amount to $30 per family for a $200,000 homestead property, $60 for a $400,000 property.” With those words, (D2) Board Member Paul Fetsko summed up at a Special Board meeting this past Monday why he would vote to raise taxes this year, though he said he had long voted for a roll-back rate (no tax increase), but times he says, are different.
“I’ve voted with Mr. Adams many times in the past to adopt the rollback rate and not raise taxes.” Fetsko told Monday’s board meeting. “This past year, when we learned that our financial situation was not as healthy as we want, I voted to raise taxes. To do otherwise would have been catastrophic.”
Fetsko said he was now hopeful that with budget cuts made by the District this year and with upcoming plans to rightsize schools, we can avoid raising taxes in the future.
Much like most Florida School Districts, Escambia is losing enrollment at an accelerated rate due to vouchers.
All the while, Escambia School District managed to improve student learning to the point that the State Department of Education now rates Escambia as an “A” school district for the first time ever.
At the first of two required public hearings Monday on the proposed budget and associated tax millage rates, the Board approved 4-1, a fiscal year 2027 millage that exceeds the roll-back rate, thus by state law, requiring the School District to advertise a tax increase.
D1 Board member Kevin Adams was the lone No vote.
“I’ve never voted for a tax increase.” Adams said. “Many people in my district on fixed incomes tell me that due to rising taxes, they’re having to choose between food, medicine and paying taxes. I’m convinced our school district can find enough money in the budget to avert financial peril without increasing citizens taxes.”
“We can point our fingers at different reasons for raising taxes.” Adams told 850 News. “But for our voters, all that matters is did I pay more taxes this year than last?”
The Board Monday approved a millage rate of 5.354 that exceeds the roll back rate of 5.223 by 2.50%.
School Board Chair Tom Harrell (D5) told 850 News that he voted to approve the proposed fiscal year 2027 millage that exceeds the roll back rate because the District’s financial reserves has dropped to a precarious 3.82% as a result of losing 1,049 students this past year.
“I liken this to a family who has used savings to pay current bills and after the savings were depleted, started using a credit card to pay the bills.” Harrell said.
Harrell pointed out that the district has been cutting spending.
“45 positions have been cut.” Harrell told us. “We’ve cut 10% of budget line items and the Superintendent is planning in September to begin using the School Attendance Zone Advisory Committee (SAZAC) process to look at right-sizing and realigning of schools with an eye toward savings.”
Navigating the uncertainty of where enrollment may bottom out, maintaining under capacity schools, being good stewards of taxpayers money, and devoting sufficient resources to raising student achievement is what planners call a “wicked problem.”
The District has achieved its top goal of improving student learning. Can it maintain that momentum while adapting its finances to lower revenue expectations? The local school board by their 4-1 vote believes a small tax increase for the coming year could be that bridge.
There will be a required second proposed budget public hearing at to approve or not at 5:01 PM, Augsust 15, 2026., at the Hall Center.
