Hillsborough school board votes to take legal action against county commission

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Hillsborough County Superintendent Van Ayres will take legal action against the Hillsborough County Commission. The school board voted to move forward with the effort during a special meeting, Tuesday.

The commission recently decided to postpone a property tax increase ballot initiative. It was estimated that the one mill tax increase – $1 for every $1,000 of assessed value – would have generated $177 million for teacher pay.

In a 4 to 3 vote, commissioners pushed the vote to 2026. Following the decision District 7 commissioner Joshua Wostal said, “Oftentimes, they say that government doesn’t take hard actions upon themselves. I believe we did the right things for the citizens of Hillsborough County.”

According to Wostal, the delay protects taxpayers who are dealing with inflation. “Right now, every single day, multiple times a day, hundreds of emails come in, in fact. People talking about record-high inflation, record property taxes, high property and property insurance that they just can’t get. They just can’t afford to live anymore in Hillsborough County,” he said.

Ayres said funding from the measure would help fill the district’s 500 teacher vacancies. He explained, “It’s puzzling to all of us in Hillsborough County Public Schools, as to why four county commissioners are taking the choice out of the hands of voters.”

On Tuesday, the Hillsborough County School Board voted 4-3 to approve Ayres’ plan to ask a judge to order the commission to put the millage initiative back on the ballot.

“As Superintendent, it is my responsibility to put our students first. While a judge now considers our request, I encourage everyone in this community to become educated on the positive impact the millage will have on every student in Hillsborough County Public Schools,” Ayres wrote in a statement.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.