Latest Headlines
- Burger, Fries And Meth: Molino Man Charged With Drug Trafficking
- Rain, Rain, Won’t Go Away
- One Person Injured In Cantonment Fire
- Cantonment Man Charged With Stealing $104K While Working As Brinks Driver
- Jim Allen Elementary Names Students Of The Month
- Beulah Christmas Parade Rescheduled, Century Tree Lighting Ceremony Canceled Due To Weather
- Escambia Man Sentenced To 15 Years On Federal Drug Charges
- Century Backtracks On Community Center Rental Rate Hike
- Escambia Public Schools Hiring Additional Campus Security Officers
- ‘Don’t Try Nothin Stupid’: Report Details Failed Bank Robbery Attempt, Desperate Plea By Woman, 63
Local Citizens, State Leaders Speak Out On School Board Tax Increase Amid Declining Enrollment
August 4, 2025
State leaders and hundreds of local residents took to social media Sunday to question why the Escambia County School Board raised property taxes as enrollment fell by about 4,200 students over the past five years.
A 1.5 mil increase is expected to net about $52 million for the district.
“So let me get this straight… Escambia School Board wants to RAISE property taxes because they have LESS workload,” Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia wrote on X while sharing the NorthEscambia.com story and tagging Gov. Ron DeSantis. “Typical big government logic. This is proof that they are spending way too much on administration and not enough in the classroom.”
Hundreds of readers commented on the story, many questioning a perceived illogical decision to require more money from property owners to pay a system with 4,200 fewer students. Others, however, defended the district’s actions, citing increasing costs.
Florida District 1 Rep. Michelle Salzman joined the discussion to assure constituents that she is questioning the move with other state officials.
(article continues below images)
Rf
In a post on Salzman’s official Facebook page on Sunday, Salzman said she discussed an audit of Escambia County with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and CFO Ingoglia on Saturday. She said the two main talking points centered around the Escambia County Children’s Trust and the Escambia County School Board tax increase.
“As your state representative, I’ve been working hard in Tallahassee to cut taxes and ease the burden on hardworking families,” Salzman said. “That’s why I’m disappointed to see our local school board move in the opposite direction by raising property taxes while we are working to eliminate them.”
“At a time when inflation and cost of living are already straining household budgets, we should be looking for ways to do more with less, not asking families to pay more,” she continued. “I encourage our local leaders to respect the sacrifices our community is making and to join us in prioritizing responsible budgeting and transparency.”
Salzman said she would use her relationships with partners across that state that she will use “for the people”. And she added, “PS. Thank you, NorthEscambia for highlighting this.”
Pictured top: On Sunday, Rep. Michelle Salzman posted this selfie taken with Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia. Photo for NorthEscambia.com.
Comments
17 Responses to “Local Citizens, State Leaders Speak Out On School Board Tax Increase Amid Declining Enrollment”
Nikki,
I’m retired, I don’t get to ask for a raise every year. I don’t
have a boat or a Denali, and don’t have children in school I have had my home for a long time. My property taxes used to be a lot cheaper. But after the land around me was over developes my property taxes went through the roof . So yes $75 dollars is a big deal for me. Even if it is not for you.
Every single one of you seem to want the best possible education with the best facilities possible but don’t want to pay for it. You each go into your own places of employment yearly and demand more pay to buy that boat with 4 motors or that 4 wheel drive Denali that never goes off road but giving an extra 75 dollars every year is just too much to ask for the school district to make capital improvements. Make this make sense because that’s the real truth of what’s happening. Yes administrator make more money and teachers and support staff don’t make enough but without more money coming in, where will teacher’s raises come from? Raises won’t come from the state because the state cut the pension system for education a few years ago. Your message is cut cut cut but pay teacher’s more and it shows you never paid attention when you were in school. If the bullying in schools bothers you, i ask you to do something about it at home because teacher’s are there to educate not teach your children how to respect others.
Renters pay property tax indirectly, it is called RENT which increase when property taxes are increased. Renters do not get a free ride.
Crooks and so-called leaders don’t care about raising taxes of Seniors on a fixed income or other homeowners struggling for one reason or another. Spread the word to VOTE THEM OUT.
@Teachers…
What, is a living wage?
Give us a number, please.
With the unprecedented growth and proliferation of new homes and subdivisions, you would think that the additional tax revenue from converting open land to housing would be sufficient without raising the millage rate.
Everyone that pays property tax already pays into the school. With all the new subdivision, there is more property so more people paying property taxes. Even if you dont have kids , part of what you pay still goes to the school. I dont see why it would matter it enrollment is on the decline. Renters dont pay property taxes but whoever owns the property pays. Their has been 100’s of new homes. More property, more people paying property taxes, more money for the school and fire department.
I hope these teachers get a whopping pay raise. They deserve, to be paid much better. On the flip side all these useless administrators need to be culled from the taxpayers coffers.
I’m sure the new Gyms, Musical Arts buildings and Auditoriums to already updated schools has nothing to do with this. Millions of dollars on unnecessary things if we have to raise taxes for them.
Can’t spell Escambia without SCAM!!!
If they get this raise. Which I’m sure they will. They always do. Feed all kids in Escambia County school district. Why are you not doing this anyway. You admitted you have 4200 less kids. All kids should be treated equally.
@Catdog I’m not following the logic. The enrollment is down 4,200 yet the school board has increased its budget. Home schooling students resulting in fewer enrollments doesn’t seem to influence budgetary decisions.
Interesting that the woodlands here are being buldozed and filled with new homes, yet school enrollment is steadily dropping?
I would suppose that the mortage and insurance cost, these factors are resulting in the postponement of new arrivals having children and raising a family?
I’m disappointed too. I hope we can vote again on Children’s Trust….get rid of it. That trust has not provided what the public thought would. I’d rather see our county have TNR (trap, neuter, release) program.
There is always plenty of waste in the schools. Hate to see our property taxes go up.
Thanks to our state representative, AG, and CFO for noticing.
Thank you, NE for running the story.
VOTE THEM OUT
Escambia County School Board has no right or authority to raise our taxes i say to the parents in Escambia County Florida pull your kids from these schools and home school them