Mandarin homeowners will find a new resource as they weigh the 1-mill property tax renewal heading to the Nov. 3 ballot: Duval County Public Schools launched duvalschools.org/vote on Monday, Aug. 24, offering ballot language, FAQs and a breakdown of how millage dollars are spent.

The site also features video testimonials from teachers, including third-grade teacher Lindzee McClure, who described what the original 2022 millage approval meant for educators.

"We felt valued. We're not in there worrying about how we're going to pay our bills. We're in there worrying about the kids," McClure said.

Duval County voters first approved the 1-mill levy in 2022 to recruit and retain teachers during a nationwide shortage. One mill equals $1 in property taxes for every $1,000 of taxable assessed value, according to the Florida Department of Revenue. That means the levy costs a homeowner $100 per year for every $100,000 of taxable value on their property.

Since the levy took effect, teacher salary supplements have averaged $8,668 per year, and the district's teacher vacancy rate has dropped from 6.5% to 4.4%, according to the district. Most of DCPS's millage revenue funds compensation for teachers, school police and other employees. About 12% goes to student programming, including arts and athletics.

Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier tied the millage to broader academic gains, saying the district is in its second year with an "A" rating and has posted a 97.6% graduation rate. More than 98% of DCPS schools are rated "A," "B" or "C," Bernier said in the district's announcement.

The renewal is Nov. 3.

The millage debate has also surfaced in local School Board races. In an Aug. 12 op-ed in Florida Politics, District 2 candidate Donna Mae Westrich cited the referendum as part of "maintaining competitive salaries" and retaining teachers.

The Duval County School Board is scheduled to adopt the final 2026-27 budget and millage rates on Thursday, Sept. 10. Voters can review the full ballot language and FAQs at duvalschools.org/vote.