School Board to Vote on Impromptu Tax Hike at Tonight

BRADENTON – After months of budget negotiations that seemed to finally be resolved, Thursday’s ad in the Bradenton Herald baffled many readers when it proposed to raise the millage rate for the school district; the same hike voters rejected in November. The new increase of .748 would bring the total rate to 7.960 -- taking it to the maximum local level. 

”This shows the arrogance of the school administration and the school board,“ said Linda Schaich, a concerned citizen who has been vocally criticizing school spending in the past few months.

Florida statutes require a two-day public notice for hearings. Publishing the ad on Thursday was just enough time to make it legal, but still left many citizens viewing the short and unannounced undertaking as underhanded. The meeting is still not posted on the school board calendar and the district administrative offices were closed on Friday, adding to the confusion.

”Looks like we are getting the added tax back in that voters rejected... this is going to go a long way,“ said Julie Aranibar who told The Bradenton Times she didn't know about the proposed measure until herself seeing the ad. ”It must be that we just can't cut anymore.“

The board wants extra funding for construction to update several area campuses and to purchase sites for future schools. However, the county presently has over 7,000 empty student stations and several extra properties that the budget committee has recommended selling to produce revenue. Over the past 5 year period, the overall public student count has decreased by 173 students.