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there continues to be no categorical funding for instructional materials or the required reading program, but districts must continue to meet statutory requirements to provide state approved instructional materials and to deliver the state required reading program. Funds to provide salary increases to instructional personnel shall use 1.07 percent of its base FEFP funding amount provided in HB 5001, to either increase the minimum base salary reported to at least $47,500 or provide salary increases to other full-time instructional personnel as defined in section 10 12.01(2), Florida Statutes. The estimated cost for the School District is $3.8M. D. The expansion of the Florida Family Empowerment Scholarship, available to all K-12 students, has tripled in Full Time Equivalent (FTE) student scholarships since FY2022. This is an increase of 1,118.50 FTE above the 553.50 ending FY2021/22. For FY2023/2024, $7,837,448 was set aside for these scholarships. Preliminary projection for Family Empowerment Scholarships for FY2024/2025 is 1,672 FTE or $10,935,618 in School District funding that must be set aside. E. The School District has experienced operating budget shortfalls impacting the instructional requirements of our students, compromising the safety, security, and wellness of our students; and hampering the ability to recruit, retain, and incentivize high-quality teachers and staff to create the highest skilled workforce on the Treasure Coast. F. The School District's educational funding per House Bill 5001 for the 2024-2025 fiscal is not sufficient to cover the additional financial requirements such as increases in teacher salaries, the Florida Retirement System (FRS), Family Empowerment Scholarships, health insurance, and property casualty insurances. In addition, the American Rescue Plan funding will end creating additional financial impacts. G. The School District's funding for student transportation from- the FEFP formula for the last four years has been approximately $3.5M compared to actual expenditures of approximately $5.4M, or a deficit of $1.9M. J. In August 2020, the electorate of Indian River County approved 'via ballot referendum an Essential Operating Needs Millage of 0.$0 umu for fiscal years 2021/2022, 2022/2023, 2023/2024, and 2024/2025. This voter approved millage referendum is estimated to generate an average of approximately $13 million per fiscal year for the School District of Indian River County. However, the authority granted for the voter approved millage expires at the end of fiscal 2024/2025. K. The School District needs sufficient revenues to maintain and improve its high- quality public schools. L. Section 1011.73(2), Florida Statutes, provides electoral authorization of ad valorem millage for four (4) years for operating purposes pursuant to a voter referendum. M. Section 10 11.71(9), Florida Statutes, authorizes a School District to levy, by local referendum, the continuation of additional millage for school operational purposes up to an amount that, when combined with the non -voted millage levy, does not exceed the 10 -mill limit established under the Florida Constitution. This section also requires funds levied to be shared Page 2 of 6