Sarasota County School Board

Local officials thought a dispute over who would pay to collect a voter-approved school tax had been settled when Sarasota County commissioners agreed in a surprise vote this week to resume covering the millions of dollars withheld by Tax Collector Mike Moran. Turns out, the fight isn’t over.

Just days after the Sarasota County School Board sued Tax Collector Mike Moran over millions of dollars withheld from a voter-approved school tax, county commissioners Tuesday voted to reverse course and resume covering the cost of collecting the tax.

The Sarasota County School Board and two county taxpayers have sued Tax Collector Mike Moran, alleging his office unlawfully diverted more than $2 million from a voter-approved school tax after changing a decades-old arrangement over who pays collection fees.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a measure to keep funding going for lifesaving medication. But the coverage runs out in July. Hence, the legal back-and-forth over the AIDS Drug Assistance Program continues.

The resolution, approved despite hours of emotional public opposition, does not spell out what documentation agents would need to enter schools, whether judicial warrants would be required for non-public areas, or who would make those decisions.

Sarasota’s school board vote to reaffirm cooperation with ICE sparked intense debate over student safety and learning, while Hillsborough College and the Rays take a step forward on a stadium plan.

The proposal doesn't change district policy, but simply reaffirms the district's compliance with law enforcement, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Most at the meeting praised the superintendent for acting quickly to prevent Schools of Hope from moving into public schools with empty space.

The former board chair was among 13 school board candidates endorsed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who lost elections last year. She replaces Tom Enos, who vacated his seat to become the district's police chief.

The board agreed to keep the policy status quo after reviewing a survey of parents and staff that drew more than 4,000 responses. A majority of respondents said they were happy with the current rules.

You might remember when school board races were low-key affairs that typically drew in teachers and parents. But the ongoing culture wars have animated even these races on Tuesday's primary ballot.

The Sarasota School District preps for school board discussion on a new digital standard.