Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sarasota board advertises tentative budget as speakers demand clarity on frozen federal funds
Summary
The Sarasota County School Board approved advertising the tentative 2025–26 budget and millage rates after public calls for a town hall and a resolution demanding release of frozen federal funds. CFO presented levy figures; the vote to advertise the tentative budget passed 5‑0.
The Sarasota County School Board on July 22 approved advertisement of its tentative 2025–26 budget and proposed millage rates and set the public hearing schedule as required by Florida law.
The board voted to advertise a total millage of 6.095 mills (required local effort 2.847; voted operating 1.000; discretionary 0.748; capital outlay 1.500). The vote to advertise the tentative budget and millage passed 5‑0. The district’s advertised total levy projects roughly $714.9 million in levy revenue for the coming year, and the published notice shows a homeowner‑equivalent school tax of about $609.50 per $100,000 of taxable value.
Why it matters: The vote comes amid a separate but related fiscal stress: on July 1 the federal Office of Management and Budget froze several federal education grant disbursements to districts, and Superintendent Connor told the board that the district stands to lose roughly $2.5 million in federal program dollars (Title II/III/IV) pending release. Community members and student speakers pressed the board to adopt a formal resolution and to host a town hall prior to the start of school so families can learn which programs would be cut and how the district will respond.
What staff reported: Chief Financial Officer Bonnie Penner presented the TRIM/levy timeline and the required advertisements. Penner explained that, despite a modest decrease in the required local‑effort rate this year, rising property values mean the district will collect additional levy dollars compared with last year. She also described operational cost pressures—health‑insurance increases, utility cost projections and the opening of two new schools—that factor into the district’s planning.
Public testimony and requests: Speakers from across the community urged immediate, public action. Alum and organizer Xander Moritz asked the board to adopt a resolution urging release of frozen federal funds and to hold a town hall before school starts. Parent and community advocates also asked the board to use district lobbyists or ask local elected officials to press Congress and the Office of Management and Budget for release of funds. Students and teachers asked for an itemized list of programs that would be affected by the funding freeze.
Board response and next steps: Board members and the superintendent described steps already taken to reduce costs and preserve positions, including a district hiring freeze, review of ESSER‑funded positions, renegotiation of some contracts and delaying major instructional purchases where feasible. Several board members signaled support for community meetings; the board confirmed a tentative final‑budget hearing schedule (advertisement now, final hearing Sept. 16) and said staff would continue to pursue advocacy options to restore frozen grants.
Votes at a glance: The board adopted the proposed millage rates for advertisement (total 6.095 mills) and approved the tentative budget advertisement; both motions carried 5‑0.
What to expect: The tentative budget will be published and the district will host the statutorily required public hearings; staff will compile and publish details about which programs are funded by federal grants and what shortfalls the freeze and other state actions would cause. Community groups asked the board to schedule an additional town hall in August before classes begin.
