Last update: September 5, 2025
St. Lucie Public Schools Referendum Renewal banner thanking voters.
Ballot
St. Lucie County, Florida ballot for November 8, 2022, regarding a referendum to continue a one-mill property tax for four years to fund school district operational needs, including teacher salaries, security, and mental health services.
Committee Appointees

Committee Members:

  • Brian GarciaDebbie Hawley Appointee
  • Natalee EdwardsJennifer Richardson Appointee
  • Deb MockTroy Ingersoll Appointee
  • Gwen MorrisDonna Mills Appointee
  • Kasey BlairTerissa Aronson Appointee
  • Vicki RodriguezEASL/CTA/CU President David Freeland Appointee
  • Candace LoupeAt-large Appointee
Teacher Salaries

The District and the Education Association of St. Lucie Negotiations Teams collaboratively reached an agreement for the utilization of referendum funds earmarked for teacher salaries. In this agreement, the Board and the Education Association of St. Lucie agreed to a four-year provision for all eligible teachers (including new hires) to receive a Referendum Recruitment and Retention Annual Supplement beginning with the 2019-2020 school year.

Negotiated 2023-24 amounts are as follows:

  • Beginning Teachers = $2,000
  • 1-5 years eligible experience = $2,454
  • 6-9 years eligible experience = $5,454
  • 10-14 years eligible experience = $8,254
  • 15 years + eligible experience = $10,854

This supplement is part of the regularly scheduled paychecks, and it also applies to the FRS contribution. Both newly hired and returning certified teachers with verifiable experience are eligible.

Teacher shows letter cards to a young student in a classroom
A teacher instructs a diverse group of elementary students on the floor in a colorful classroom. Math concepts are visible on the whiteboard, and learning materials are organized in colorful bins.
A diverse group of middle school students sit at desks in a classroom, listening to a male teacher present a "Decision Matrix" on a projector screen. The teacher wears a red polo shirt.
School Security

Funds a School Resource Officer on every campus, two on each high school campus.

A young girl in a school uniform fist-bumps a police officer holding a sign that reads "Be a Treasure Hunter, Search for what's talents, skills and intelligence lie." Other adults hold signs nearby.
A smiling Black teenager and a uniformed sheriff's deputy give thumbs up while sitting together outside. The deputy wears a green uniform with a badge. They clasp hands in a gesture of camaraderie.
A K-9 unit Labrador retriever stands alert on a sidewalk, wearing a black tactical vest with "K-9" and a badge. Handlers in uniform stand nearby, ready for action.
Mental Health
  • Funds 8 additional social workers bringing the district total to 22.
  • Funds 5 behavior specialists.
  • Funds 10 behavior technicians.
  • Funds 3 Certified School Counselors.
Three students smiling in front of a large panther logo
A teacher high-fives a young student in a classroom line.
Elementary school students, including a young boy in a blue shirt, receive high fives from adults and a therapy dog as they enter the school. A line of uniformed officers stand in the background.
Preserving Important Programs

The district is committed to preserving important programs that benefit students.  For example, for the 2024-2025 school year, support was needed to provide local health department nurses in our schools.  The nurses provide vital health services that help students reach their full potential.

The arts have also been supported through referendum which allowed for the purchase of new equipment and supplies in visual and fine arts classrooms.

Students collaborate on pottery projects in a bright art classroom. Four young women work with clay, shaping pots and boxes. Supplies surround them on the table, with sinks and storage in the background.
A young Black girl plays a xylophone with enthusiasm in a music class, surrounded by other children holding mallets. The classroom features wooden xylophones and a file cabinet.
A diverse youth choir, wearing matching red t-shirts, performs on a stage with a conductor leading them. A pianist is visible to the left.
How We're Spending the Money