Public hearing on high-school financial literacy materials draws calls for better access to sample content
Summary
At a required public hearing on recommended 9–12 financial literacy instructional materials, students and parents asked the board for greater transparency — citing missing attachments and password-protected samples — while business and community speakers supported the curriculum; final adoption is scheduled for January.
The Sarasota County School Board held a public hearing on recommended 9–12 financial literacy and money-management instructional materials as required by state statute and heard three public speakers.
Student Sam Rheingans said the public review process was not meaningful because the agenda lacked sample content, publisher details and review criteria; he said, "Here without access to the materials being discussed is not meaningful public participation or engagement." Debbie Hayes and other residents echoed calls for more accessible information and worried about curriculum changes happening at the state level.
Superintendent Connor responded that the district complies with state law by providing materials on the district instructional materials page through a password-protected platform (EdCredible), that members of the public can create accounts to review materials, and that the board will vote on adoption at the next regularly scheduled meeting in January.
Business speaker Bill Neece supported the adoption, saying financial education is urgently needed and that lower-income students are especially affected by gaps in financial knowledge.
Next steps: the materials remain open for public review via the instructional materials page (account required); final adoption is expected at the board's January meeting.
