Polk County school employees will receive a $3,700 base pay raise starting next school year after voters approved a property tax increase Tuesday.

The one-mill levy is expected to raise about $80 million a year. It will fund teacher retention, school safety, and core student programs, and it will remain in effect through June 2031.

The average Polk homeowner will pay an additional $259.42 a year. Of the money collected, 18 percent, or $13.6 million, is earmarked for local charter schools.

The raise applies to teachers, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and other support staff. Supporters said it will likely grow in future years as county property values rise. The measure aims to bring Polk pay in line with surrounding districts and ease severe staffing shortages. Employees will not see the pay increase until the next school year begins.

Stephanie Yocum, president of the Polk Education Association, said the money will help fill hard-to-staff special education jobs.

“Almost a quarter of our vacancies are in ESC, which is our special education program, and those are our most needy and vulnerable children,” Yocum said.

Superintendent Fred Heid said student performance has improved for five years even though Polk is “one of the lowest-funded” districts in the state. He said the new revenue will help the district “rise even higher.”

Heid’s point raises a question taxpayers may weigh as the levy takes effect. If results climbed over five years on tight budgets, how much more will an extra $80 million a year deliver, and how will the district measure it?

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