Referendum
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Impact of the Additional Mill
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This is not a new tax. Manatee County voters first approved a 1-mill tax in 2018 to enhance teacher pay, add instructional time, expand STEM and support charter schools. Voters renewed the 1-mill in 2021 and extended funds to expand district arts programs. Here are some district successes since the mill was first passed.
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Student Scores Rising
In 2024, student scores improved across the board.
Reading scores went up in grades 3-10.
Math scores went up in grades 3-7.Most district “A” schools since 2012:
20 Board-governed schools
4 Charter schoolsIncreasing Pay Attracts New Teachers
Starting Teacher Pay in Manatee County:
2017-2018 = $38,892 before millage
2023-2024 = $57,572 with millageRising Supplements Help Retain Experienced Teachers
Annual millage supplements for Teachers:
2018-2019 = $4,008
2023-2024 = $8,362Increasing Pay for Other Employees
Bus Drivers:
2018-2019 = $13.93 per hour starting pay
2023-2024 = $19.57 per hour starting payCustodians:
2018-2019 = $11.48 per hour starting pay
2023-2024 = $16.26 per hour starting payFood Service Workers:
2018-2019 = $11.50 per hour starting pay
2023-2024 = $16.38 per hour starting pay
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Emphasizing STEM in Every Elementary
The millage made it possible to place STEM classrooms in every elementary school in the district. This helps young students learn valuable skills such as coding, problem-solving and engineering design, and sets them up for success in advanced middle and high school courses.
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Dominating the State TSA Competition
Manatee District students won 29 “Best in State” awards at the 2024 State TSA Conference in areas like Animatronics, Digital Video Production and Forensic Science. Braden River High won the high school State Championship, and three of the five State Officers elected were from Manatee County.
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Earning Cambridge “District of the Year” Status
Cambridge International, the world’s largest provider of international education programs, named the School District of Manatee County as one of three “Districts of the Year” in the United States for 2024. The award was given for increasing access to the rigorous Cambridge curriculum and for strong student performance on Cambridge exams.
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Making It to Carnegie Hall
A total of 77 students from the School District of Manatee County auditioned and were accepted into the 2024 National Youth Choir. As a reward, the students traveled to New York City, with their school Choral Directors, and sang at world-renowned Carnegie Hall.