SCS Board Work Session | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 9am

The Sarasota Schools Board held a work session on June 22, 2026, focusing extensively on the preliminary budget for the 2026-2027 school year. Key procurement-related discussions included staffing allocations based on enrollment forecasts, budget adjustments due to revenue shortfalls, and the impact of legislative changes on funding such as the Florida Educational Finance Program (FEFP) and Florida Empowerment Scholarships. The board reviewed significant expense drivers including charter school payments, instructional materials procurement estimated at $5 million, and costs related to a new high school opening. They also discussed potential revenue-generating measures such as adjusting facility rental rates, fingerprinting fees for employees and volunteers, athletic participation fees for non-enrolled students, and proposed increases in student meal prices. Legal fees, currently around $1.8 million, were highlighted as a substantial cost with ongoing efforts to analyze and manage these expenses. The board emphasized zero-based budgeting practices and the need for careful monitoring of staffing and expenditures to maintain fiscal responsibility amid tight budget conditions. Several motions and action items were proposed for future workshops, including discussions on district-managed charter schools, legal fee comparisons, and revenue strategies. The tentative budget advertisement and millage adoption were scheduled for July and September meetings respectively.