Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/215277
Sarasota News Leader November 22, 2013 Page 35 added, noting that regardless of the schedul- SCHOOL BOARD REACTION ing of the vote, they should "be able to have enough money in reserve to … make up that School Board Vice Chairman Kovach said he difference should they encounter a prob- planned to initiate a new discussion among his colleagues about lem with the voters, moving the referenwhich could happen [The School Board is] a separately dum to November. "I anyway." elected body. It's their separate budget. would certainly be in When Chairwoman The folks that are to hold them favor of that." Carolyn Mason finally called for a vote, a pause ensued. "Commissioners?" she asked again. accountable are the folks in the public. H o w e v e r, S c h o o l Christine Robinson Board member Commissioner Caroline Zucker Sarasota County pointed out that the "Is this the last moment that we can actually board members had had difficulty determining do this?" Patterson asked DeMarsh. how they could achieve a smooth transition "It's an election that's already being planned to a fall general election. for by the Supervisor of Elections," he replied. Her primary concern was losing the tax rev"I can't specifically address the last potential enue. "We would have to cut programs, cut date." teachers," she noted. After Robinson made the motion to approve the March 25 referendum, Vice Chairman Legislative action might be necessary for the Charles Hines agreed with her point about School Board to change the referendum timelected board members' authority. "I believe ing, Kovach added. it's their decision," he said of the School Board He did appreciate Robinson's and Hines' members, "but I agree with Commissioner remarks about the School Board's authority, Barbetta with the planning part of [the date]." he said. Referring to a situation in which one "Actually, we've held a couple of elections elected board might vote to deny a request of in March, too," Patterson pointed out. Those another elected board, he added, "I find that were for the penny sales tax for capital proj- a little distasteful." ects, she added. "And we stopped doing that when it became so expensive. … I think it's "I don't want to make a mountain out of a really time for the School Board to start tak- molehill," Goodwin told the News Leader. ing that into consideration." "We appreciate [the county commissioners'] Hines noted that Art Hardy, the School Board's good thoughts and their consideration. … At attorney, was in the audience for the commis- a later date, perhaps," she added, the School sion meeting. "I am sure he will take back this Board could work out a way to move the date discussion as to our concerns," Hines added. of the referendum. %