Image courtesy Pixabay..

The School Board Referendum, the extra millage we pay on our property taxes to support our students and teachers, passed on Nov. 5 with 84.07% of the vote. A record number voted for this referendum – 214,656 people voted “yes.” This vote is symbolic of all that is good in this community and why many of us live and do business here.  

The Teacher’s Union, the local foundations, and most of the business community united to make sure the community understood this referendum was on the ballot, that it was on the last page of the ballot, and also why it was so important for our students and their future.

Living and working in a community like this is a privilege and with that, many realize there is a responsibility or duty to contribute to it and make life better for future generations. Most of the business community recognized this with loud, strong, and significant support. 

Business support came from north to south, from east to west, with chambers of commerce and many trade groups supporting the referendum in terms of endorsement, financial support and time. Over half of the funds raised for the campaign came from the business community.

The Argus Foundation joined with these amazing partner business organizations - Realtor Association of Sarasota Manatee, Gulf Coast Builders Exchange, Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, North Port Area Chamber of Commerce and the Venice Chamber of Commerce to make sure our kids and teachers have what they need to be successful. 

Many of these groups have been supporting their members in hurricane devastation for the last two years from Ian to Debby, to Helene, to Milton. Yet, these are the groups that are consistently there, united in partnership, to support important community-wide initiatives like this. They care about the community and its future; they did not blink when asked for support.

There was a lot at stake with this referendum, $114 million next year and over 600 positions. It would have been a devastating blow to our education system, our economy, and quality of life and especially our kids to lose this funding. 

This election was different than elections past, as this was the first time this vote on the referendum would occur during a regular November election. Those of us in the election trenches were hoping it would pass with great support, but it was an election in a very contentious Presidential election.

We watched as important segments of the community united in an unbelievable way, Republicans, Democrats and other parties, as they understood the importance of this referendum. It was a sign of incredible unity at a time when the country seems very divided. 

Congratulations to our community for doing the right thing and for supporting our future. Congratulations to the business community for being there for your community. The Argus Foundation was proud to be a partner in this referendum and we look forward to the opportunity and great things to come from our school system.

Christine Robinson is Executive Director of The Argus Foundation.

Image courtesy Pixabay..