Manatee County Schools turns to corporate sponsorships

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. - Shon Levatte leads a busy life. "You have to make time," she said.

Levatte is a student at Manatee Technical Institute and getting ready to graduate in a few months.  Her kids are also students in middle and high school in Manatee County.

"You want your kids to do the things that you know everybody else is doing, and also enjoy high school or middle school. You don't want to take away from it. You just have to keep going." said Levatte.

In five years, the Manatee County School Board said they have cut $60 million from their budget, leaving parents like Levette working even harder to get her students things school can no longer provide.

"We're hoping to find new revenue. I mean there is a massive need right now," said Mary Glass.

That is why the school board is exploring a private corporation called Education Funding Partners. They said if they work together, Manatee County could see $250,000 in just the first year. "We won't see advertising in the classrooms. It is not advertising. It would be strictly sponsorships," said Glass.

Mary Glass is the director of The Manatee Education Foundation. She said if the partnership does pass, it could mean companies like Lowes or Google could sponsor field trips or school programs. Kids could be given backpacks or shirts to wear with the companies' logos, leaving Levatte with mixed emotions.

"You want to say I don't want my kids wearing a Lowes or Nike T-shirt, but you also have to say you have to pay for him to go to school," said Levatte.

In tight times, the school board said this is the best solution to benefit students.

Hillsborough and Pinellas County are not considering the option. But in Osceola County, the School Board said a similar program started in 2009 brought in more than $650,000 to schools.