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Board reviews REDI 2026 plan for voter‑approved millage: early learning, STEM, safety, arts and athletics highlighted
Summary
District staff presented a proposed breakdown of next year’s voter‑approved half‑penny sales surtax funds (REDI 2026), outlining new and continuing investments in early learning, STEM, school safety, arts and athletics and the charter schools’ proportionate share.
Manatee County School District staff on June 24 walked the school board through a proposed allocation of voter‑approved half‑penny sales surtax revenue for fiscal 2025‑26, labeled the REDI 2026 plan. Staff said the budget ties the surtax to the district strategic priorities and includes both continuing and new investments.
Finance director Kathy Miley and budget director Gina Milleniak joined Board member Sellers and interim Superintendent Chapman to present five discretionary buckets: early learning, STEM and career education, school safety, visual and performing arts, and athletics. Staff said the plan also retains the charter schools’ proportionate share, as required by the referendum ballot language.
Early learning: staff recommended a new literacy coach at every elementary and community site and more foundational instructional resources and interventions for pre‑K through grade 3. In the presentation staff noted third‑grade reading proficiency as a measurable long‑term outcome the plan aims to improve.
STEM and career education: presentations emphasized continued support for district STEM programming, robotics and competitions, elementary STEM teachers funded by the referendum and expanded career programming.
Student safety: the largest safety item proposed is expanding an “evolved” weapon‑detection and screening system already in use at high schools to middle schools, plus additional staffing for school guardians needed to operate the middle school rollout.
Arts and athletics: staff proposed continued annual allocations for school arts programming and competitions, and a new athletics bucket to level funding for officials, equipment, uniforms and postseason travel so smaller, non‑revenue sports would not be dropped for financial reasons.
Board members offered feedback during the workshop. Several asked for historical comparisons of collections versus budgeted amounts; one board member urged higher priority for early learning over STEM, while others said STEM funding covers a wide range of grades and career programs.
Staff stressed the allocations are preliminary and subject to change; the board set direction for a deeper July review. The board will consider final budget and millage rates in later public hearings.
Why it matters: the voter‑approved surtax is restricted by ballot language to school safety, retention and recruitment of staff, expanded instructional time, early literacy, STEM, arts, athletics and a charter proportionate share. How the district allocates that money affects program offerings across all Manatee County public and charter schools.
What’s next: staff will provide additional briefings and a detailed budget for board review and public hearings in July and September before final adoption.
