Sarasota County — Community members speaking during public comment Wednesday evening urged the School Board to focus on a projected $45 million shortfall in district revenue, which several speakers tied to the statewide expansion of school vouchers.

Why it matters: The shortfall, referenced repeatedly by speakers and in the superintendent’s consent-agenda highlights, prompted repeated calls for additional public town halls and for the board to prioritize staffing and classroom resources over protracted policy debates.

What speakers said: Multiple parents, teachers and advocacy groups said voucher expansion has siphoned funds from public schools. "This board thinks it's more important to focus on culture wars by discriminating against marginalized students. You are laying off janitors," said community member Elizabeth Braden. Bill Neece, a speaker and parent, praised district budgeting work while warning that cuts have reduced supports for students, including counselors and ESOL liaisons. Several speakers asked the board to hold an additional town hall beyond the Sept. 3 event to address the fiscal outlook and the incoming board member appointment.

District context: Superintendent Terry Connor reviewed consent-agenda items and noted several large contract authorizations and procurement bids. He reiterated the scheduled Insight Community Connections town hall on Sept. 3 at Woodland Middle School and acknowledged the forthcoming budget challenges.

Board response: Board members acknowledged the urgency. Several members supported additional public outreach; the board agreed to table controversial policy items in part to allow more focus on budget matters later in the meeting.

Ending: Speakers urged a coordinated community response; some recommended legal or collective action by Florida counties to challenge voucher expansion. The board accepted public requests for added outreach and scheduled further review of both budget and policy items.