Manatee Schools Consider Lower Tax Rate

By Sylvia Lim, The Bradenton Herald, Fla.

May 1–BRADENTON — While many Manatee County school district employees’ fate next year hangs in the air, local homeowners may see a smaller tax bill for schools.

And parents who choice their children to schools other than their zoned ones may have to provide their own rides.

The Manatee County school board covered those issues in a budget workshop and a closed-door meeting Wednesday.

The board, Superintendent Roger Dearing and Assistant Superintendent Tim McGonegal did not say much about cutting jobs or salaries during the workshop.

However, after the one-hour public meeting, the board headed into another private session to discuss that, as permitted by state law.

“We talked about it,” said Jane Pfeilsticker, a school board member. “But I can’t talk about it until we go into the bargaining process.”

At first, district administrators identified about 400 school-site jobs that could be cut to balance the district’s 2008-09 operating budget.

Then, administrators talked about another plan — slashing employees’ salaries by 5 percent and administrators’ pay by 7.5 percent to avoid those layoffs — but indicated that may change too.

“It’s right on the table,” Dearing said after the workshop.

Where in between that do they land? he asked.

Pfeilsticker said plans that included the administrators pay and non-union employees were discussed in the closed meeting, but declined to say much except that she was comfortable with the ideas.

“Each is contingent on each other,” she said. “We’ll try to wait and let the bargaining team sit with each of the unions. Hopefully, everybody will be hunky-dory, happy and shake hands.”

Taxpayers, however, may be happier.

If approved at 7.268, next year’s millage would be the lowest Manatee homeowners have seen in 23 years.

Homeowners with a home valued at $250,000, with a $25,000 homestead exemption, will see their schools tax bill drop by $89.55, to $1,635.

A home with homestead that receives the maximum 3 percent increase in valuation will pay $35 less.

The non-exempt tax roll would generate about $34.3 million in revenue, slightly lower than last year’s, according to district records.

But for the district, the picture continues to look bleak.

Like many school districts across the state, Manatee’s is looking to slash nearly $21.4 million from its operating budget next year.

Principals have been asked to cut 4.2 percent from each school’s budget, and department heads 10.6 percent, as part of a large list of $28 million worth of cuts that include middle school athletics and field trips.

District administrators have also identified 47 positions that will be cut next year, nine of which are currently filled, Dearing said.

In the past two days, Dearing said, administrators have been talking to principals about what they have proposed cutting.

On Wednesday, Dearing also asked the board to consider eliminating courtesy or choice busing.

Parents or students who choose to attend a school because of a program, such as the International Baccalaureate program at Southeast High, or magnet schools such as Rowlett Elementary, will continue to have busing, he said.

Students attending a school other than their zoned one within a geographical cluster may have to get their ride on their own, he said.

“But there will be an appeals process,” he said.

Board members were also supposed to hear an update on next year’s capital budget, which pays for school construction and maintenance.

McGonegal, assistant superintendent, said that would probably be ready by Friday.

In a report, McGonegal also told board members that funding for school advisory committees may be reduced from $10 a student to $5, and school recognition money from $100 a student to $85.

Estimated millage rate for schools

Next year’s proposed millage rate (7.268) is lower than last year’s 7.666. Homeowners with a home valued at $250,000, with a $25,000 homestead exemption, will decrease by $89.55, to $1,635. A home with homestead that receives the maximum 3 percent increase in valuation will pay $35 less.

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