Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/190797
ACTION NOT INDICATED School Board member Caroline Zucker (left) and Chairwoman Jane Goodwin prepare for a budget public hearing in July. Photo by Rachel Hackney A COUNTY COMMISSIONER SAYS STAFF RESEARCH DOES NOT SEEM TO SHOW HIS BOARD CAN MODIFY THE DATE OF A SCHOOL BOARD REFERENDUM By Rachel Brown Hackney Editor Research undertaken by the Sarasota County Attorney's Office indicates the County Commission has no authority to dictate when the Sarasota County School Board can hold its next referendum on continuing a special 1 mill tax, Commissioner Joe Barbetta told The Sarasota News Leader this week. conjunction with the next election of commissioners for the Town of Longboat Key. That ballot also will include races for seats on the Holiday Park Park and Recreation District Board. He added that he felt voter turnout would be significantly greater in November, when state and congressional seats would be on the It didn't say that we could ballot. During his board's regular meeting on Sept. 24, Barbetta objected to the School Board's reject the date. pending decision — confirmed on Oct. 1 — to hold the referendum on March 25 in Joe Barbetta Commissioner Sarasota County In response, County Attorney Stephen DeMarsh said he would research the