The loss to public education this year is significant.

Florida’s 2024–25 education budget had a $47 million shortfall after the Department of Education paid out funding for 23,000 vouchers tied to students with unclear enrollment status. Soon after, state auditors reported an “absence of clear accountability” in scholarship spending, which is projected to exceed $4.3 billion next year.

Here at home, Sarasota County Schools alone lost $45 million this school year, resulting in a $2.5 million funding shortfall.

And now, even more funding is being diverted away from our students, teachers, and classrooms.

Here’s How

Every four years, Sarasota County voters decide whether to approve the Education Referendum. This referendum allows the district to levy a 1-mill property tax (equivalent to $1 per $1,000 of taxable value) generating an estimated $356 million between 2026 and 2030. The district reports this referendum provides roughly 20% of its operating budget.

This funding exists because our community chose it: Eighty-four percent of Sarasota County voters reached across the aisle and approved it.

Voters are continuously clear: invest in our schools.

For more than 20 years, Sarasota County covered the administrative commission charged by the Tax Collector to collect these funds. This ensured that 100% of voter-approved education dollars went directly to our schools.

That has now changed.

In July 2025, the Tax Collector’s Office informed the School District that the County would no longer cover this cost as they have been for 23 years. As a result, the Tax Collector is now charging the School District directly, diverting millions of dollars away from classrooms and into administrative fees.

According to public reporting, the Tax Collector’s Office claims approximately $2.2 million in commissions is owed even though the School District disputes the charge. The district has not been provided documentation showing that additional collection costs were incurred, but they have been being charged for them.

This change did not come with additional funding or with time for the district to plan. It simply reduced the dollars available to support students. Dollars voted on by our community.

Why?

As voters, we should be asking questions:

As a community, we should be asking: Why is a long-standing practice being changed now, and without meaningful public discussion? This referendum reflects a shared commitment. It represents trust between voters and our local government. What is gained when the commitment is weakened?

As taxpayers, we should be asking: Is this a tax on our tax? Why is a Tax Collector charging a percentage fee on funding our community explicitly voted to increase for education?

As businesses, we should be asking: If a decades-long funding practice can be reversed without warning, could the same happen in my industry? How can organizations plan for stability if established agreements can change so abruptly? And if this situation is unique to our schools, why?

As critical thinkers, we should be asking: Is this truly necessary? Are there documented additional costs that justify this commission? If so, where is the transparency? If not, why is the fee being imposed now?

But as parents, we don’t have to ask anything.

This isn’t about our tax dollars, or community cohesiveness, or politics.

It’s about our children. Their safety, their experiences, and their futures.

And when public funding is taken away from education…all of that is at-risk.

As parents, our question is answered: Prioritize our kids. ALL OF THEM.

Take the Next Step

If you believe referendum funds should be fully preserved for Sarasota County students, consider contacting the Sarasota County Commission:

Email: commissioners@scgov.net

This is the email I plan to send, feel free to adapt to fit your voice and perspective.

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Subject: Preserve 100% of Voter-Approved Education Referendum Funds

I am a parent of a student in Sarasota County Schools, and I am writing to express my opposition to the decision allowing the Tax Collector’s Office to charge the School District for a commission on voter-approved education referendum funds.

Voters approved these funds with the clear expectation that they would directly support our public schools and students. Redirecting any portion to administrative fees reduces the resources available to classrooms and undermines voter intent.

I respectfully urge you to revisit and reverse this decision and restore the long-standing practice of preserving 100% of referendum funds for Sarasota County Schools.

Thank you for your time and your service to our community.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

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Our community made a clear choice to invest in our schools and our children. Now, we must ensure that investment remains intact, for every student, in every classroom.