The Charlotte County Public Schools board spent a lengthy segment of its Dec. 16 workshop debating recommended referendum ballot language and whether to explicitly include public charter schools.

Board members said the question matters for voter perception and outreach. One member argued that naming charter schools would make the referendum’s beneficiaries explicit and could help turnout in a fast‑growing community such as Babcock Ranch. Others noted prior referenda had succeeded without such language and warned that new wording might change voter response; staff said the committee’s recommendation had omitted charter language and that polling data did not answer the question.

The board did not adopt final language. Members directed staff to gather examples from other districts, consult the polling firm and meet with community leaders (including representatives from areas with large numbers of newer residents) before the next workshop. The superintendent and staff will be asked to help with targeted outreach, especially in communities the board identified as unfamiliar with district governance.

What’s next: staff will return with comparative referendum language examples, polling context and recommendations at a future workshop so the board can finalize ballot text in time for the March schedule discussed by staff.

Attribution: Statements in this article are taken from board discussion during the Dec. 16 workshop.