Sarasota district outlines facilities, fleet and technology initiatives; board to consider updated impact-fee study

Sarasota County Schools— operations leaders told the board Wednesday they are pursuing a string of efficiency and reliability projects intended to align capital work with the district—s strategic plan: a new capital-improvement presentation this summer, project-management software for construction, a white-fleet leasing program, updated impact-fee modeling and improvements to bus dispatch and meal-service systems.

Why it matters: The initiatives affect the district—s ability to maintain buildings, open new schools on time, manage fleet costs, and recover some of the fiscal burden of growth. Board members pressed staff on impact fees, student-capacity trade-offs and when individual projects will appear in the five-year capital plan.

Major operational items discussed - Capital improvement and project management: Facilities staff said the capital-improvement plan for the coming budget cycle will reflect a slowing of growth and will be presented to the board during the summer budget process; the district is adopting Procore project-management software to centralize construction documents and change orders. - White-fleet leasing: The district ordered 55 white-fleet vehicles through a leasing partnership; staff said two vehicles have been produced, 20 are scheduled and about 20 remain awaiting production. Transportation leaders described the arrangement with Enterprise as streamlining ordering and up-fit processes and freeing mechanics to focus on school buses. - Impact-fee study and policy: The district plans to piggyback on the county contract with TischlerBise (TischlerBice) to update the educational impact-fee study and to present board approval for the consultant on the May 20 agenda. Staff summarized the 2022 study—s finding that Sarasota County Schools were among the lowest in the state and that statutory rules limit a phased increase to a 50% cap implemented across four years; staff described a possible follow-up to explore petitions for higher increases where the law allows. - Portable-classroom strategy and capacity: Facilities staff said the district is tracking portables districtwide and pursuing reductions when possible via redistricting, classroom additions or new permanent wings; some schools with long-term need may be candidates for permanent wing construction rather than portable units. - Transportation and routing modernization: The district plans to deploy Tyler Technologies transportation software for routing and parent notifications, with a targeted implementation and routing stabilization period in 2025–26 and rollout in 2026–27. Separately, dispatch was reorganized into two radio channels and a regional dispatch configuration meant to improve responsiveness. - Food-service inventory and menu improvements: Food and Nutrition Services completed most phases of a new MCS inventory system, has moved procurement to a buying cooperative for better pricing and is testing from-scratch menu items and updated serving lines to increase participation.

Discussion vs. decisions - Discussion: Board members and staff discussed the tradeoffs of concrete modular classrooms versus portables (concretable units become part of permanent FISH capacity), the desire to seek higher impact fees and how impact-fee revenues are a pass-through borne by developers and homebuyers. - Direction: Staff will bring an item on May 20 to authorize piggybacking on the county contract for an updated impact-fee study and will return with the capital-improvement plan in the summer. - Formal action: None voted at the workshop; staff said procurement or contract approvals will come to the board as formal agenda items.

Quantities and timing noted in the session - White-fleet order: 55 vehicles ordered; 2 produced and in production upfit, 20 scheduled, and remaining vehicles awaiting production. - Impact-fee context: 2022 TischlerBice study recommended maximum allowable increases; state law phases increases with a maximum step-up of 50% subject to a four-year implementation schedule and a required 90-day waiting period after a board resolution.

Ending: Staff said they will present the updated impact-fee study contract for board approval on May 20 and will return with the district—s capital-improvement plan during the budget cycle this summer.