At a recent breakfast hosted by the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Council, School Superintendent Tim Forson made an urgent case for two upcoming school tax referendums.
Speaking at the World Golf Village Renaissance Resort, Forson said that rapid growth and rising costs are putting pressure on the school district. He believes passing these taxes in November is critical to maintaining the county’s strong education system.
“I’m just being honest,” Forson told business leaders. “It’s about moving forward. It’s about how we support public education.”
Growing Schools, Rising Costs
Forson highlighted how much the school district has expanded. In 2004, there were 23,000 students in St. Johns County schools. Today, that number is over 50,000, and another 13,000 students are expected within the next ten years.
Keeping up with this growth requires more funding, especially to hire and keep good teachers.
“It’s expensive to live here,” Forson said. “Housing costs are high, and there aren’t many options. We’ve had record-high job vacancies for both teachers and support staff.”
A comparison of teacher salaries in nearby counties showed St. Johns County at $53,484—lower than Putnam, Duval, and Nassau counties.
Forson also pointed out rising construction costs. Pine Island Academy, built in 2021, cost about $38 million. Now, almost identical schools cost over $60 million to build.
What the Taxes Would Do
If voters approve the first tax measure on November 5, it would extend the half-cent sales tax, which raised $37 million last year. This money helps pay for new school buildings and improvements.
“That’s really important,” Forson said. “Losing that money would be a huge problem for our schools.”
The second tax measure would allow the School Board to raise property taxes to increase teacher salaries and fund school programs. This one-mill tax would start July 1, 2025, and last for four years.
For a home assessed at $350,000, the tax would increase by $325 a year. For a $650,000 home, it would go up by $625 a year.
Forson pointed to Nassau County, which passed a similar tax and increased teacher salaries by $2,000 to $10,000 depending on experience. He expects a similar outcome in St. Johns County.
Maintaining High Standards
Forson, who has worked in the district for over 30 years, said St. Johns County has managed to grow without lowering its high education standards.
Only one other county—Sarasota— has consistently earned an A rating from the state since 2024.
“We have students in military academies, Ivy League schools, and top universities worldwide,” Forson said. “They come from St. Johns County public schools.”
With record growth and teacher shortages, Forson believes passing these tax measures is essential to keeping St. Johns County schools among the best in the state.