Opinion: Manatee County schools leaders say thank you after election win

On behalf of the more than 50,000 students and 6,600 employees of the school district, we humbly thank the citizens of Manatee County for their overwhelming support as displayed in Tuesday’s referendum election.

How blessed and grateful we are to live in a county that values its students, teachers and schools in such a spectacular way.

We are thrilled that the extension of the 1-mill will keep our students and schools competitive with neighboring school districts like Sarasota and Pinellas Counties — both of whom have had the additional mill for almost two decades.

A special thanks to the individuals who organized and contributed to the citizens campaign “Forward Manatee,” led by co-chairs Dr. Denise Davis-Cotton and Ernie Withers, with tireless assistance from Susan Harrigan, Ivory Matthews and Jackie Barron.

In addition, renewal of this referendum would not have been possible without the endorsement and support of organizations like the Manatee Chamber of Commerce; United Way Suncoast; Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp.; League of Women Voters; Early Learning Coalition; Manatee Community Foundation; Gulf Coast Builders Exchange; Manatee Education Association; Neal Communities; MCR Health; C&M Road Builders; Medallion Homes; Jones Potato Farm; Public Education Defense Fund; Schroeder Manatee Ranch; Woodruff and Sons; Decorative Paver Concepts; Westcoast Electric and more.

Thank you Manatee County.

We look forward to working with you as we continue to enhance and elevate the opportunities and achievements of our students and schools.

Charlie Kennedy, School Board chair

Rev. James Golden, School Board vice chair

Chad Choate, School Board member

Mary Foreman, School Board member

Gina Messenger, School Board member

Cynthia Saunders, superintendent

Pat Barber, President, Manatee Education Association