The half-cent sales tax for Manatee County schools was first approved by voters in May 2002. This measure, often referred to as the “one-half cent discretionary sales surtax,” went into effect on January 1, 2003, and was set to run for 15 years—through December 31, 2017. Its purpose was to fund construction, upgrades, technology, and other capital improvements for public schools in the county. However, public Charter Schools received no funding from that funding source.
As the original sunset date approached, the Manatee County School District sought an extension and asked Charter Schools to support the renewal with assurances that the Charter Schools would receive funding from this tax. In November 2016, voters again approved the half-cent sales tax, allowing it to continue from January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2032. Although the Charter Schools received some funding from 2018 to 2022, in 2023-2024, the District chose to terminate these funds to the 15 Charter Schools who instruct over 12,000 students.
Our goal is to raise enough signatures and present them to the School Board. The funding would allow Team Success and other charter schools to make improvements around the campus. Click on the buttons below for more information. Thank you for your support!
