As a teacher in Sarasota for 14 years, I have the experience to understand what our students and teachers need. As a former Certified Financial Planning professional, I have the skills to analyze the budget before it's approved. My three children graduated from Sarasota Public Schools and now my grandchildren are attending, giving me the motivation to make sure our schools stay strong. I've served on community and business boards, volunteered for various youth organizations, and owned a small business. Our children deserve financially responsible board members with the judgement, conviction, and experience to protect the excellent schools our community has built, and to fulfill the mission of the School Board- every child, every day.
Good teachers need to feel valued, have their time and ability to teach protected, and be supported in their classroom. Consistent discipline, supportive administration, and engaging resources help retain teachers, along with competitive salaries and benefits.
We need to reevaluate procedures taking time from classroom learning and stop micromanaging our teachers. As a board member, I would establish an open discussion with staff to identify issues, seek solutions, and get feedback. Transparency is vital when implementing new policies as well. Salary compression should be solved.
Student enrollment is down less than 1% annualized over the last 4 years. Next year's budget from the state will include only an $85 per student increase in FEFP, which is less than a 1% increase, while inflation is 4.2%. Fuel alone is up by over 50%. Almost 85% of our General Fund budget goes to Salaries, Benefits, and Retirement for staff.
Meanwhile, billions of taxpayer dollars are going to private schools for vouchers with no accountability. The Board will need to pressure our representatives for fair funding, and a levelling of the playing field for non-public schools. Evaluating every program, and every non-instructional salary for savings, and every building to reduce fixed costs must be done.
Continued pressure on the public school budget by the expanded voucher program will be the most significant and difficult problem to solve, and the one that will most impact our public schools.
I will survey the families of students taking vouchers to determine why they leave the public schools, compile comparisons of proficiency for the district, and communicate more effectively with new residents, young parents and existing families to showcase the programs we offer and show the excellence of our schools. This may lead to developing new programs that attract more families to the district.
But we, as a community, need to push for a separate income stream and accountability for the voucher program to provide transparency to taxpayers.
We have many programs to choose from, and a track record of above average test scores that are continuing to improve. We employ excellent teachers and staff, offer a wide range of resources for teachers, and engaging curriculum for all our students. Our public schools have strong support in the community as well as the backing of the philanthropic community. Sarasota County has a growing economic base bolstered by our "A" rating, and a commitment to the arts in the community and our schools.
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