In spite of ever-increasing foreclosure rates, 13-percent unemployment and falling property values, the Sarasota County Public Schools’ tax referendum passed by almost a 2-1 margin on March 16.
Nearly 66 percent of the voters who cast ballots (46,326) favored the continuation of the 1-mil surtax, up from 60 percent during the previous special election in 2006. The 1-mil equates to $100 for every $100,000 of assessed property value in Sarasota County.
The 1-mil tax is expected to bring in nearly $40 million next year.
Voter turnout increased by 10,000 from 2006, to more than 70,000 for this third referendum on the tax. That figure, however, is only a 27-percent turnout for all eligible voters.
The original referendum won voter approval in 2002.
On Tuesday, 23,895 voters, or 34 percent, voted "No." Members of the opposition group Better Sarasota Schools for Less said the vote should have been held with the general election in the fall, when more voters would be expected to go to the polls.
School board Chair Shirley Brown said the results would have been the same, nonetheless. "When the early returns came in, it was 65 percent [in favor of the referendum]; it stayed close to 65 percent," she said. " I don’t think it would be all that different [if the referendum were held in the fall] ... not 17 percent different."
On March 16, Brown and other tax supporters gathered at the Pacific Rim restaurant on Hillview Street to await the returns. After hearing the news about the victory, Brown agreed with Sarasota County Schools Superintendent Lori White’s sentiments: "I’m just so proud to live in a community that supports education," White said.
Brown said the vote speaks to the quality of the school district and the commitment of the community to maintain that quality.
"It says the community understands that education is an investment in our future," she said. "We need a good education system to attract new businesses and help property values," Brown added. "I just couldn’t understand voting for 400 teachers to lose their jobs and potentially lose their homes."
She said that she questioned whether the people voting "No" really would feel good about themselves knowing that information.
"I would think, in economic hardship, that others who saw people who were suffering would be more empathetic," Brown said.
The continuation of the 1-mil tax officially begins July 1 and runs through June 30, 2014.
Now that the school district has a better idea of what funding it will have for the next fiscal year, Brown said the board can start planning for the 2010-2011 budget. The district will still have to make cuts because even with the passing of the referendum, state revenue is expected to be less.
The district also expects to get $10 million less from the 1-mil tax because of declining property values.
"I’m just happy that we can trim and not slash [the budget]," Brown said. "All ideas will be considered to save money, she added, including continuing the hiring freeze and filling vacancies internally or with long-term substitutes.
However, as far as Brown is concerned, cutting the extra 30 minutes from the school day that was added about four years ago is off the table.
"... Regardless, we still will keep providing a good education for our students at the center of what we do," Brown said.
"Providing for student growth is our primary focus. If that means all administrators taking a pay cut [and the] school board taking one, I think everything is on the table."
On April 13, the school board will hold a budget workshop at The Landings. Brown is encouraging the public not only to attend but also to become part of the discussion. She says the public can e-mail her, White or any of the other board members with their ideas.
She added that after the budget meeting, a regular school board meeting will be held, when the public will be able to comment on the budget.