County school tax passes easily

School tax passes easily

Sarasota County residents solidly approved the continuation of a school tax in a March 16 referendum vote.

Voters also approved the tax, which takes $1 for every $1,000 of property value, in 2002 and 2006. This vote was the first time the tax faced a strong organized opposition, from citizen groups like Better Sarasota Schools for Less that argued against wasteful school spending.

But the tax prevailed with about 66% of the vote. County election officials reported a little more than 70,000 people voted in the election, a turnout of about 27%.

The tax, which has taken in more than $350 million since 2002, is used for a range of activities, from salaries to elective programs in art and music. But the majority is spent on the salary schedule of district employees.