The voters have decided: taxes will go up to support teachers and students.
On March 20, Manatee County voters chose to approve a school referendum by a 2.76 percent majority. More than 51 percent of voters voted for the referendum, which proposed a one mill property tax increase to raise an additional $33 million annually for the school district.
A total 56,479 votes were cast from the 235,388 registered voters throughout the county on the referendum for a 23.99 percent turnout.
The $33 million funding will be used to extend the school day by a half-hour, increase staff salaries to be more competitive and put a science, technology, engineering and mathematics class in every elementary school in the district, including Anna Maria Elementary.
District superintendent Diana Greene issued a statement March 21 thanking voters for approving the referendum. “We’re looking forward to the future!” she wrote in the statement.
AME will gain $200,000 or more in funding annually through the tax increase, according to principal Jackie Featherston.
Featherston said the tax increases would help AME acquire and obtain a number of staff ranging from bus drivers to janitors to teachers.
On Anna Maria Island, four precincts of voters weighed in against the school tax. Anna Maria voters cast 150 votes for and 211 votes against the tax.
Two precincts in Holmes Beach saw 401 for and 442 opposed to the tax.
Bradenton Beach voters cast 100 votes for the referendum and 114 votes were tallied against the proposal.
— Bianca Benedí
