Karen Almond, board chair of Seminole County Public Schools and Dr. Walt Griffin district superintendent speak to the Seminole County League of Women Voters about the recently adopted 1-mil property tax for schools and the status of elementary school rezoning. They also offered an overview of the mission, goals and accomplishments of the district. (length 25:55)

(Produced, reported and edited by Stephen McKenney Steck). Event photos Charles E. Miller for CMF Public Media

Three major issues – property tax, school rezoning and the district’s mission and accomplishments – are addressed by Almond and Griffin. During their remarks, questions are asked by league members.

As to the property tax, in the November 2012 elections, 56-six percent of the voters approved the 1-mill property tax referendum advanced by the school board. The tax amounts to $1 for every $1,000 of taxable property value – residential or commercial property. According to the district, the tax will raise an estimated $26 million each year for four years beginning with this school year, October 2013.

Also on Almond and Griffin’s plate was the formation and eventual phased-in implementation of a plan to rezone more than two-thirds of the county 36 public elementary schools in time for the new school year. The broad goal of the plan was to more effectively address future county growth with the balance of students in each school as regards population, income, race and ethnicity, students whose native language is not English, as well as students with disabilities.

Their remarks were recorded by CMF at the Thursday, August 22, 2013 Hot Topics luncheon of the League of Women Voters of Seminole County held at the Patio Grill in Sanford, Florida, and moderated by league president, LaVonne Grayson.

Principal Speakers

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