Hillsborough superintendent threatens legal action over commission decision

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Hillsborough County Superintendent Van Ayres wants to take legal action against the Hillsborough County Commission. He’s seeking the school board’s approval 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.”

Ayres will seek approval from the school board to pursue legal action against the commission during a special meeting at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

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