Hillsborough Superintendent applauds judge’s decision to place teacher pay referendum on November ballot [Video]

TAMPA, Fla. – Hillsborough County Schools Superintendent Van Ayres held a news conference Saturday applauding the decision by a thirteenth Judicial Circuit judge to place the school board’s millage referendum back on the November ballot.

“Every child, everyone deserves the best classroom experience possible. And that’s exactly what this millage is about,” Ayres said.

The court’s decision comes after Hillsborough County Commissioners voted 4 to 3 last month to place the tax increase on the November 2026 ballot instead.

“We are very happy that the voters of Hillsborough County will get to decide the fate of this very important referendum. The campaign will educate the impacted individual households, the positive, economic impact to our communities, and, of course, how it’s going to help our students and children,” Hillsborough County Classroom Teacher’s Association President Rob Kriete said.

Superintendent Van Ayres pushed for the referendum to be on the November ballot to help give teachers and administrators …