Manatee School District pushes for referendum to ‘move the needle’ on local education
Manatee County voters will decide Tuesday whether to renew the school district’s 1-mill property tax to help fund public schools.
The additional tax, which voters previously approved in 2018 and again in 2021, will appear on the general election ballot. District officials say the extra funding would be instrumental in increasing teacher pay, school safety, early childhood education and athletic programs.
If voters renew the tax, homeowners would continue to owe $1 for every $1,000 on a home’s assessed value. For example, a homeowner would owe $33 per month or $400 a year on a home worth $400,000, according to district figures.
The No. 7 School Board referendum requires a simple majority of more than 50% for voter approval. The referendum has also been endorsed by several local organizations, including United Way Suncoast, the Manatee Education Foundation and the Manatee Chamber of Commerce.
Kevin Chapman, the school district’s chief of staff, said Manatee County earned better school grades on the state’s 2023-24 report card, thanks to the funds from the tax. The state gave 24 out of 64 schools an A.
“We’ve really risen a lot since the millage,” Chapman said. “When you look at last year’s school year, we ended up with the most A-rated schools ever in Manatee County. We actually had two Title I schools become A-rated schools.”
What is Manatee school referendum for?
Over the past several years, the money went toward teacher pay, longer school days, STEM and arts programs and charter schools.
Chapman said the district made it a top priority to draw the best teachers to Manatee County. Starting teacher pay rose from $44,407 in the 2018-19 school year to $57,572 in the 2023-24 school year, district figures show.
“A big chunk of the millage goes to our employees,” Chapman said. “We’ve really been able to not only attract but now finally retain all these great teachers. That’s really why you’re seeing so much movement in a positive direction on the academic side.”
Chapman said the district plans to help students improve their reading skills through early childhood education.
“That’s really going to help us move the needle on grade-level proficiency,” Chapman said. “Right now, we’re just below the state average on grade-level proficiency. We really believe that we can get to that state average and beyond and help our kids get to grade-level proficiency in all our schools.”
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.
This story was originally published November 4, 2024 at 5:50 AM.