Read the latest articles about topics that are effecting our community.
The School Board Referendum, the extra millage we pay on our property taxes to support our students and teachers, passed on Nov. 5 with 84.07% of the vote. A record number voted for this referendum – 214,656 people voted “yes.” This vote is symbolic of all that is good in this community and why many of us live and do business here.
The School Board Referendum renewal is on the last page of your ballot this year. This renewal, which is supported and funded by most of the business community and local foundations, is fundamental to our county’s future and our “A” rated school district. This historically widely supported referendum is important for retaining and recruiting our teachers, enhancing workforce training, upgrading our schools with technology and improving school safety and classroom security
Transparency has been a challenge this past year for many local governments. We have written about specific examples of government documents not being provided to the public ahead of time or not allowing public comment on commissioner proposals from the dais. Today, we are writing about what we will call “after-the-fact transparency.” This phenomenon is permeating local governments
The Sarasota County Commission recently voted against funding parental choice school readiness childcare.
Commissioners cut $510,000 from the program, the amount voted through last year, and turned their back on a long-term partnership with the Legislature and governor. And to make matters worse, that cut likely will cause the loss of an additional $292,000 in matching state funds for parental choice in school readiness.
