Op-ed submitted by Dr. Kathryn S. Rudloff
This November, voters will be asked to renew the one mill ad valorem operating millage to support
Brevard Public Schools. It is a decision that directly shapes the quality of education in our
community—and one that deserves both confidence and clarity.
As Chair of the Independent Citizens Committee for Millage Oversight (ICCMO), and as the parent of
three children in Brevard Public Schools, I have had the opportunity to view this investment from two
perspectives: as a mother who sees its impact in classrooms every day, and as a community volunteer
responsible for ensuring those taxpayer dollars are spent exactly as promised.
The ICCMO is tasked with holding regular public meetings to conduct a detailed review and analysis of
how the millage has been spent since voters first enacted it in 2022. Our committee has reached a
clear conclusion: The millage is delivering on its promise. It is strengthening our schools, supporting our
teachers, and expanding opportunities for our students—exactly as voters intended.
At its core, this investment is about people. The single greatest factor in a student’s success is the
quality of their teacher, yet school districts across Florida face growing challenges in attracting and
retaining experienced educators. State funding structures, rising costs, and unfunded mandates have
made it increasingly difficult for districts to remain competitive.
That is where the millage has made a real difference.
In the most recent fiscal year alone, more than $42 million in millage funds went directly to employee
compensation, increasing pay for teachers and staff across the district. For many educators, these
supplements are not just helpful—they are the difference between staying in Brevard or seeking
opportunities elsewhere. Because these funds count toward retirement calculations, they also provide
long-term financial stability, particularly for experienced teachers whose expertise is so valuable in our
classrooms.
Just as important, the millage allows the district to remove financial burdens that once fell on educators
themselves. Required training, certifications, and compliance with state and federal mandates used to
have to come out of teachers’ own pockets. Thanks to the millage, BPS has been able to cover many
mandated compliance costs for teachers, reducing their out-of-pocket costs and making Brevard a
more attractive place to teach. It also helped fund expanded mentoring and professional development
for new teachers, which has helped improve teacher retention. A recent survey found 94 percent of
new teachers reported that mentoring and support played a key role in their decision to stay in Brevard
Public Schools.
But strong schools require more than great teachers. They require opportunities that inspire, engage,
and prepare students for the future.
That is why the millage also invests in programs that would otherwise be out of reach. State funding
alone does not provide the resources needed to offer robust enrichment, expanded staffing, and
hands-on learning experiences. Through this local investment, students across Brevard have access to
programs that help them discover new interests and build critical skills.
From elementary classrooms enhanced by STEM teachers and instructional support staff to the wide
variety of free summer enrichment camps offered across the district, the millage funding has added
both broad and deeply targeted learning opportunities. Students are exploring robotics, learning to
code, participating in the arts, gaining life-saving certifications, and building confidence in ways that
extend far beyond the traditional school day. Investing in additional instructional assistants in
kindergarten and grade two has helped improve 3rd grade reading scores by
Even longstanding programs like athletics have been strengthened. In the past, schools were forced to
use a significant portion or, in some cases, all of the athletic ticket revenue simply to cover officiating
costs. Thanks to the millage, more than $500,000 of those costs were covered in 2025, allowing
schools to reinvest ticket revenue in their local athletic programs and keep participation affordable for
families. The result has been greater access and stronger school communities. Millage has also helped
pay for physical trainers to ensure student-athletes are well cared for.
At the same time, the millage is helping modernize the learning environment itself. Classrooms
equipped with updated technology—interactive displays, flexible teaching tools, and enhanced
communication systems—create more engaging and effective educational experiences. In the past year
alone, nearly $4 million has been invested in these upgrades, ensuring that Brevard students are
prepared for a rapidly evolving, technology-driven world. However, with over 100 schools and
educational facilities, this modernization has been delivered in phases, based on available annual
funding. Passing the millage renewal will ensure this classroom modernization continues and will
benefit students for years to come.
Just as critical as how these funds are spent is how they are overseen. When voters approved the
millage in 2022, they did so with the understanding that there would be accountability. The
Independent Citizens Committee for Millage Oversight was created to fulfill that promise.
Our members are volunteers drawn from across the community—parents, retired educators, financial
professionals, and local leaders—who bring both expertise and a shared commitment to transparency.
We review the detailed financial records, budget plans, annual audit, and ask tough questions of BPS
staff. We publish our findings in an annual report so taxpayers can see exactly how their investment is
being used. You can view the most recent Annual Report here.
The ICCMO has determined that all funds were spent in compliance with the voter-approved
resolution. The dollars are going where they should, and the benefits are reaching the students and
educators they were intended to support.
This local investment matters now more than ever. School districts today are navigating increasing
responsibilities without corresponding increases in state or federal funding. Many mandates tied to
safety, training, and compliance come with little or no financial support. Further, the additional
compensation support for teachers funded by our local millage rewards educators with years of
classroom experience and has helped mitigate the effects of wage compression caused when the state
increased the mandatory base salary.
In 2022, Brevard County chose to invest in its schools, and the results are visible across our
community. Classrooms are better supported. Teachers are more fairly compensated, and retention
has improved significantly. Students have access to richer experiences and expanded opportunities to
participate in hands-on learning and extracurricular activities.
This summer, Brevard Public Schools also earned its third consecutive districtwide A rating from
the State of Florida. Seventeen schools improved their letter grades, including four that made the
extraordinary jump from a C to an A in a single year. The percentage of BPS schools earning an A
or B has increased from 64% to 79% since 2023-24.
The academic gains are measurable, too. Over the past three years, BPS has recorded a 5%
increase in ELA achievement, a 5% increase in mathematics, an 8% increase in science and a 6%
increase in social studies.
Student achievement is the product of thousands of daily decisions by teachers, administrators,
families and students. But these results demonstrate something important: the investment Brevard
voters made is occurring alongside meaningful, measurable progress in our schools. That is
something we as a community can all be proud of!
This November, voters have the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to providing exceptional
education to Brevard children.
From where I sit—as both a parent and the chair of the oversight committee—the answer is clear. This
millage is a tangible investment in our children, our teachers, and the future of our community. It is
working exactly as intended, and its impact can be seen every day in the lives of students across
Brevard County. A vote to renew is a vote to carry this momentum forward!
Dr. Kathryn Rudloff is the chair of the Independent Citizens Committee on Millage Oversight (ICCMO),
an all-volunteer committee formed to meet the requirement of the ballot language for “independent
oversight.” The committee’s main objective is to review the expenditure of referendum dollars and
determine whether spending is appropriate based on the referendum language. The ICCMO holds
public meetings and communicates their determination to the School Board and the community
through an annual report. Committee meetings and documents are available at
https://www.brevardschools.org/page/millage-2022
Voters can learn more about both the millage and the sales surtax, which is dedicated to capital
expenditures and also up for renewal in November, here:
https://www.brevardschools.org/page/surtax-and-millage
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