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Public commenter urges Manatee schools to include charter students in half-penny sales tax capital plan
Summary
A public commenter asked the board to consider charter students when distributing half-penny sales tax capital funds, arguing charter students contribute to district performance and tax revenue but receive no capital support.
During the workshop public-comment period, Steven Zickafoost urged the board to include charter students in allocations from a proposed half-penny sales tax that funds school capital projects.
Zickafoost told the board more than 12,000 charter students are "actively contributing to the district's outcome, academic outcomes" and asked why those students would be counted in performance metrics but excluded from capital funding tied to the sales tax. "If we're counting those students when it helps our grade, why are we not supporting them when it comes to funding from the half penny sales tax?" he asked.
He said charter schools produce measurable academic outcomes and lower per‑student construction costs, and he noted the district's leadership standards emphasize student-centered decisions: "Students' needs should guide recommendations and decisions. Not some students, not students based on what kind of public school they attend, just students," he said. Zickafoost asked the board to align the funding conversation with those standards and to consider charter students when crafting the sales-tax distribution plan.
Board members acknowledged the topic is scheduled for a future workshop presentation that will include legal and financial perspectives; a staff member confirmed the item will be presented in May with a full perspective for board consideration.
No formal action on the sales-tax allocation was taken during the workshop; staff said the district will present detailed options in a planned May presentation.
