SCS Board Work Session | Tuesday, June 2, 2026 - 10am

The Sarasota Schools Board held a work session on June 2, 2026, focusing extensively on legislative updates, budget impacts, and capital improvement projects affecting the district. Key procurement-related discussions included the review of the 2026 state budget with an $85 per student increase in base student allocation and a total funding of $9,337 per student FTE. The board discussed the impact of legislative changes on school funding, including the exclusion of school districts from a property tax proposal, and the passage of House Bill 7031 related to tax referendums supporting capital projects and teacher salaries. The session also covered policy updates affecting vendor contracts and budget documents, collective bargaining timelines, and athletics participation rules. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to capital projects, with detailed presentations on multi-year funding plans for major renovations and new construction, including a $110 million Northport High campus refresh, Sarasota Middle School roof replacement, and Sarasota High School VPA master plan with a $71 million budget. The board reviewed an impact fee study recommending phased increases in fees to support growth-related infrastructure, emphasizing the need to maximize revenue streams to offset rising construction costs. Additionally, the board discussed improvements to the investigative process for complaints and the establishment of an Office of Professional Standards to enhance accountability. The meeting concluded with plans for continued oversight and transparency in referendum spending and capital project execution.