Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/180498
Sarasota News Leader September 27, 2013 Barbetta continued, "Let's not kid anybody: The voter turnout is really good in November … versus March," especially given that the November 2014 ballot will feature congressional and statewide races — including the election of the governor. Page 28 The district received about $40 million from that tax this year, she noted. "If we were to lose $40 million," Zucker said, "it's more than what our [reserve] fund balance is. … We just can't do that." Moreover, she added of the referendum, Caroline Zucker, who has served a total of "We're doing it before the snowbirds leave, 15 years on the School Board, told the News to get as many people as possible to vote." Leader during an interview on Sept. 25 that the district literally could not afford to wait She pointed out that March 25 is before Easuntil November 2014 to conduct the referen- ter, which is the latest many seasonal residum. "We cannot wait until [then] because dents stay in Sarasota County each spring. that would mean we would lose a whole year of income from that tax," she said, adding The School Board originally considered holdthat the School Board budget, by law, has to ing the referendum in early March, Zucker be completed in July each year. If the board said, but the Town of Longboat Key asked the moved the referendum to November, "That board to move it to the date of the town's next doesn't leave us any leeway," she pointed out. commissioner elections. Booker High School, which has been undergoing a rebuild, is known for its visual and performing arts program. Photo by Norman Schimmel