Schools and Education Manatee Schools Earn Big Jump in School Recognition Award Dollars

BRADENTON – The number of Manatee District schools slated to receive School Recognition awards from the state jumped from 17 last year to 31 this year, raising the amount of funds to be received by district schools from just over $1.5 million a year ago to more than $2.2 million this year.

Florida’s School Recognition program rewards the state’s public schools with additional funding for maintaining an A grade or for improving by at least one letter grade – although schools that improve from an F grade to a D do not receive the awards. The amount to be awarded to schools from the state is up to $100 per Full-Time Equivalent student for each school that qualifies.

Based on school grades for the 2013-2014 school year, 31 Manatee District schools qualified for the additional funding, which equates to more than $2.2 million. The year before, following the 2012-2013 school year, 17 Manatee District schools qualified for School Recognition funds, which brought in just over $1.5 million.

“This is another tremendous example of the progress we are making academically as a school district,” said Superintendent Rick Mills. “I want to thank Deputy Superintendent of Instructional Services Dr. Diana Greene, our Executive Directors and most especially, our students, parents, teachers and administrators. They are the ones whose hard work and dedication made these improvements possible.”

According to the Florida Department of Education, the staff and school advisory council at each recognized school jointly decide how to use the financial award. As specified in statute, schools must use their awards for one or any combination of the following: Nonrecurring faculty and staff bonuses; Nonrecurring expenditures for educational equipment and materials; or Temporary personnel to assist in maintaining or improving student performance.

The Manatee District had 24 schools that raised their school grade by at least one letter from the 2012-2013 school year to the 2013-2014 school year (including seven schools that improved by at least two letter grades). However, only 20 of those schools qualified for School Recognition awards. Four Manatee District schools improved from an F to a D, but did not qualify for the School Recognition funds. Eleven Manatee District schools maintained their A grades and qualified for the additional funding.

“The fact that our schools are showing improvement academically is the driving factor in being able to generate these additional dollars,” said Dr. Greene. “I believe these results will be a catalyst to continue to make the changes necessary to help our children maximize their potential – in and out of the classroom.”