A school referendum was passed on Tuesday that will help provide funding for both Manatee and Sarasota County schools.
Manatee County schools are asking families to pay an additional $1 million in property taxes. The school district says that means the average family with a home value of $225,000 will pay about an additional $17 per month.
The district says that this will raise an additional $33 million per year for them. Sarasota County schools is looking to raise $56 million. Renters will pay nothing.
District says that the money will go specifically to the people inside the buildings. It will go toward teacher pay, support staff such as bus drivers and counselors and would extend the school day by 30 minutes.
It will also help fund additional programs such as art and drama programs, according to the Manatee County Schools superintendent.
