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School board hears how first year of athletic millage boosted equipment, officials and middle‑school offerings
Summary
Presenters told the School District of Manatee County board that voter‑approved athletic millage raised baseline allocations to roughly $43,000 per high school, paid game officials districtwide, funded safety gear and event security, and expanded middle‑school sports and technology in its first year.
The School District of Manatee County board on July 14 heard a report on the athletic millage’s first year of spending, with staff saying the voter‑approved levy paid for equipment, officials and new middle‑school opportunities while reducing fundraising pressure on schools.
Board members were told the district increased baseline high‑school athletic allocations from roughly $30,000 to about $43,000 per school this year ("a little over $300,000" total across seven schools) and tripled most middle‑school per‑school allocations from about $500 to about $1,500. "The plan was developed in concert with our athletic directors and principals," said Sharon Scarborough, the district’s executive director of high schools, describing the baseline grants and the requirement that campuses submit spending plans.
Why it matters: The millage money is targeted at extracurricular athletics and related safety and operations costs that historically depended heavily on fundraising and gate receipts. Board members framed the expansion of middle‑school sports as an attendance and engagement strategy that can feed high‑school rosters.
Key details and examples: Scarborough said schools spent funds on uniforms, updated football helmets and conditioning equipment, and that district staff prioritized athlete safety. "Out of all seven, every single one of them used money towards helmets…making sure that they're all up to date with safety," she said. In a move aimed at equitability, the district paid for officials for every sport at every school for the year, removing a significant line‑item burden from programs: "We were able to pay for officials for every sport, for every school the entire year," Scarborough said.
The district also allocated enhanced security funding for athletic events and allowed schools discretion to add extra guardians or security at higher‑risk contests; staff said security spending totaled "a little over $100,000" and covered home football and other games.
Technology and recruiting: Schools also leveraged a district Huddle video contract for game and practice filming that staff said supports recruiting and post‑season visibility. Scarborough reported that 88 students from the district signed to play at the next level in the period covered.
Middle‑school expansion and grants: Presenters said the district increased middle‑school allocations and plans to pay officials for middle‑school athletics next year. The board discussed adding sports such as golf, tennis and pickleball; trustees noted external grant opportunities (for example, USTA grants for middle‑school tennis equipment and clinics).
Rules and equity: A board member asked about Title IX compliance; staff said the district had completed its annual Title IX compliance report for high‑school sports and that the new sports would be offered for both boys and girls when sanctioned. "We just did a compliance report for Title IX…we are in compliance," a presenter said.
What’s next: Board members praised the changes and directed staff to continue working with athletic directors on planning. The presentation concluded with staff and board members noting the millage’s role in lessening reliance on fundraising and improving safety and access for lower‑revenue sports. The board then amended the agenda to move to the paraprofessional program presentation.
(Reporting note: all dollar figures and program details are taken from district staff presentations at the July 14 workshop and are reported as stated by presenters.)
