- March 11, 2025
The Volusia County School Board stated before the election that, if its one mill referendum did not pass, teaching jobs and art programs would be in danger of being cut. A petition has now been started to save them.
BY THE OBSERVER STAFF
The Volusia County School Board’s proposed one mill property tax increase was denied by voters on Election Day. Now, a petition is being passed around Volusia County to save non-core programs, like art and music, which the school board stated prior to the election might be reduced to account for budget shortfalls.
The online petition currently has more than 2,400 signatures, which is roughly 25% of its goal.
Among the cuts the petition opposes are reductions to music and art teachers, Advanced Placement courses and more.
"I am on Auxilaries at Seabreeze,” Claire Miller, of Ormond Beach, wrote on the petition. “I have only been on it for a year, but it is so important to me. I have met so many people (and) it has made such a big difference to me. I can’t imagine high school without it!”
“Music is my entire life,” Bethanie McCrary wrote. “I’ve never imagined doing anything else in school. It’s a social outlet and the reason I enjoy coming to school every day.”
Click here to view or sign the petition.
