The League of Women Voters of Manatee County Education Issues Committee observes the Manatee County School Board meetings for items of interest to citizens and the League and notes adherence, or lack of adherence, to good governance procedures and the sunshine laws. The following are the major points from the school board meeting on 7/30/24.
The special meeting was called to order by Chair Choate at 5:05 PM. This was a narrowly focused meeting with none of the typical opening activities.
Motion was made to approve the amended agenda. Approved 5-0.
Dr. Wysong gave thanks to Dr. Sellers, her team, and Mr. Jensen for the presentations.
Presentations
Presentation Regarding the 2024-2025 Tentative Millage Rate and Tentative Budget. Rachel Sellers, Deputy Superintendent of Business Services, made a presentation to the Board regarding the adoption of the 2024-2025 tentative millage rate of 6.2990 and the adoption of the 2024-2025 tentative budget in the amount of $1,590,763,809.00. Clarifying that the tentative rate and budget are the best estimate at this point in time without benefit of all the information that will be available and included in the final report by September 10th, Ms. Sellers provided graphs and charts, satisfying the statutory requirements and timeline.
[LWV Note: Link to presentation is here.]
The presentation included:
Statutory Requirements/Timelines
Millage rates trends were graphed and reviewed from 2017-2024 showing the change in Property Values and the impact of Required Local Effort (RLE), Discretionary, Capital Projects, and Referendum (Additional Voted Tax). A tentative rate was shown on the graph for 2024-25.
Proposed Tentative Millage, Roll Back Rate
Taxable Value Change, 0.00%
Millage Rates Change, -1.90%
Annual Taxes Change, -1.90%
Taxable Value Change, 8.46%
Millage Rates Change, -1.90%
Annual Taxes Change, 6.40%
The School District of Manatee County continues to demonstrate strong financial stewardship. For the eighth consecutive year, the district anticipates ending FY 2023-2024 with a positive general fund balance of $101,916,654.
Proposed Tentative Budget
Adoption of Tentative Millage Rate
Adoption of Tentative Budget
Answering clarifying questions from board members, Ms. Sellers indicated the referendum voted by citizens is called “additional voted tax” and makes up 16% of all of the various millages collected. Ms. Sellers and Board Members stressed to the public that while the millage tax rate has dropped over time, the value of the property has increased, resulting in higher assessed taxes. Board members expressed appreciation for the work that has gone into this initial report.
2023-2024 FLDOE School and District Accountability. Deputy Superintendent for Instructional Services, Derek Jensen shared the recent school and district grades calculated by the Florida Department of Education. He described changes in the grading system that have resulted in new cut scores and the various components that make up the school and district grades. He clarified that Performance Monitoring Assessments 1 and 2 are not included in the calculations.
Mr. Jensen highlighted the improved performance of students over time and improvements in overall school grades.
[LWV Note: Mr. Jensen’s presentation to the board can be viewed here.]
The charts compared 2023-24 District Grade to prior year. The district achieved 739 out of 1200 possible points resulting in a B grade for the district. The district was only two points away from earning an A. Also, he demonstrated the increases in 3rd Grade Reading Proficiency over time: 2021-22, 47%; 22-23, 50%; 23-24, 54%. The State Average for 3rd Grade Reading: 57%, Range 38-76%.
The district increased ALL SDMC Achievement Categories from 2023-2024. The number of schools achieving an A grade has increased, including Tillman and Abel Elementary Schools, both Title I schools. Ballard Elementary improved its score from a D to a B. Four schools received D grades: Samoset Elementary, Lincoln Middle, Bayshore High, and Manatee School of Arts and Sciences. In addition, it was noted that Combination Schools, such as K-8 schools, were most affected by the FAST School Grading Scale.
Mr. Jensen described the ongoing and intensive one-on-one and small group discussions between the Superintendent, district staff, and school leadership to pinpoint areas for improvement and specific instructional approaches to improve student performance. Instructional Responses to the report in Semester 2 were outlined by Mr. Jensen.
Mr. Jensen stated these efforts are the reasons the last item is on the agenda to Authorize the Superintendent to Utilize the Flexibility Established Per Florida Statute 1001.42(21).
School board members acknowledged the effective impact of the district and school leadership, and specifically teachers’ efforts, resulting in improved performance. Some board members asked to see data for charter schools broken out from the district-led schools.
Public Hearing / New Business
Public Hearing Regarding the 2024-2025 Tentative Millage Rates and Tentative Budget. There were no public comments.
Approval of Adopting the 2024-2025 Tentative Millage Rate of 6.299. Approved 5-0.
Approval of Adopting the 2024-2025 Tentative Budget in the Amount of $1,590,763,809.00. Approved 5-0.
Public Hearing for Consideration to Adopt and Amend School Board Policies. Superintendent Wysong reminded board members the recommended changes were discussed at workshops. There were no public comments.
Approval to Adopt New Policy and Amend School Board Policies. Dr. Wysong indicated changes to those policies related to weapons were withdrawn. Approved 5-0.
LWV note:- links to changes to policies in four parts:
Authorize the Superintendent to Utilize the Flexibility Established Per Florida Statute 1001.42(21) to Establish Salary Incentives or Other Strategies that Address the Selection, Placement, Compensation, and Expectations of Instructional Personnel, Including Executing Memorandum(s) of Understanding, up to $600,000.00 (Multiple Funding Sources)
Approved 5-0.
Meeting adjourned at 6:41 p.m.
The Board Chair efficiently gaveled in and out of the two public hearings.
All Board Members expressed gratitude for the time and efforts of the presenters. Members asked good clarifying questions regarding both the millage and school accountability data.
We concur with Ms. Messenger that Ms. Spray bringing up the start time for evening meetings was inappropriate since this will be addressed by the total board when a new chair is elected and she, as a board member had voted for this some time ago.
Once again, Ms. Spray asked questions during the presentation that should have been asked prior to the meeting, whether in the workshop or during briefing meetings with staff.
We thank Ms. Foreman for clarifying for Mr. Tatem that the extra funding currently in place for Title I schools comes from federal dollars, not local or state dollars.
We also thank Chair Choate and Ms. Messenger for their comments about the effects of the millage rate on the district. Mr. Choate mentioned that data shows the district is getting high quality teachers from the millage money. Ms. Messenger added that we now have 24 “A” schools as compared to 8 “A” schools pre-millage.
Mr. Tatem thanked the teachers and the leadership who enabled the increase in scores.
