Support for the Manatee County School Board’s special 1-mill ad valorem property tax is higher than ever.
And that support will keep the tax in place through June 30, 2025.
Manatee County voters Nov. 2 approved the special tax’s continuance with 69.27%, or 47,206, of the 68,152 votes on the question, according to unofficial results from the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office.
About 30.73%, or 20,946, of voters disapproved of the referendum — a marked decrease from the 49% who voted against the special tax when it was first approved on a 2018 ballot.
Of the county’s 69 voting precincts, only the voters of precinct 141, which does not contain a school, disapproved of the special tax’s continuance, with 62 votes for and 67 votes against.
Precinct 141 is bordered by the county’s northern and eastern borders with Hillsborough and Hardee counties, State Road 64, Bill Parrish Road, SR 62 and Saffold Road.
Only three other precincts approved the item with less than a 61.31% vote, including precincts 129, 525 and 527.
In Anna Maria’s precinct No. 301, the approval percentage was 63.42%.
In Holmes Beach’s two precincts, 303 and 305, the percentage was 61.31% and 61.61% and, in Bradenton Beach, precinct 307, it was 65.27%.
Anna Maria Elementary STEM teacher Pidge Barreda previously told The Islander the special tax funded new lab furniture for the school, as well as resources such as class materials and teacher training.
AME principal Michael Masiello wrote in a Nov. 4 email to The Islander that funds from the tax also would contribute to the school’s arts program in the future.
“I believe passing of the referendum is an indication of the value our community puts on ensuring our children receive the best education possible in Manatee County,” Masiello wrote. “I find it encouraging and I know our school district employees feel supported by the community.”