Voters in Sarasota County will head to the polls March 20 and will have a question in front of them having to do with local-option property tax that was fi4st approved in 2002. The funding provides extra funding for all three levels of schools in the district. If approved, the money that would be available would be well over $55 million annually for Sarasota County schools. The per pupil spending increase would be roughly $1,275 per student. Proponents back the extra money because Sarasota schools are just one of two districts to receive an A grade from the Florida Department of Education. Money for science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM has been provided through the property tax and will also provide more classroom time each day. The money has also helped increase the pay for available positions within the districts.
