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Manatee School Board approves phased sales-surtax share for charter schools after debate over debt-service deduction
Summary
The School Board of Manatee County voted 5-0 to amend charter contracts to share a portion of proceeds from the county half‑cent sales surtax with qualified charter schools starting in fiscal 2025–26. Board members and charter advocates debated deducting bond debt service before the charter share and the speed of the phase-in to a full share.
The School Board of Manatee County on June 24 authorized staff to amend charter-school contracts so qualified charter schools will receive a portion of the county half‑cent sales surtax beginning in fiscal year 2025–26. The motion passed 5‑0.
Board members and charter representatives spent more than an hour discussing how to calculate the charter share. Staff and bond counsel advised that the district must deduct pledged debt service tied to sales‑tax bonds before distributing remaining revenue; board members questioned how quickly the charter share should ramp up to the full target in later years.
Why it matters: The half‑cent surtax is a significant new local revenue stream for school capital and maintenance projects. Charter leaders and parents told the board the new revenue matters for long‑range budgeting for charter facilities and programs. Board members said the district must protect bond covenants while balancing…
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