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Building On
The Momentum
It is a very special honor as Superintendent to welcome our students, families and
community to the 2018-2019 school year. I want each of you to know that my goal for
this school year is to continue the strong and steady current of forward momentum that
has been propelling our school district forward for the last five years.
I firmly believe that by recommitting ourselves to the hard work and dedication that has
moved this school district forward, we can continue to enhance the lives of our students
and earn the trust and support of our community.
Last year, seniors from the School District of Manatee County’s Class of 2018 were
offered more than $16.3 million in scholarships and were accepted into 235 colleges and
universities across America, as well as every branch of the U.S. Military.
Also last year, 90 percent of Manatee District schools received grades of “A, B or C”; the
number of “D” schools dropped from 11 to six and for the second consecutive year, not a
single Manatee District school received an “F” grade. District wide, the Florida Department
of Education gave the Manatee District a “B” grade for the third time in the last four years
(2015, 2017, 2018) after receiving a “C” grade the previous three years.
Financially, the district’s fund balance (reserve fund) increased from $17.3 million to more
than $25.5 million in the last three years, leading three of the world’s largest credit ratings
agencies – S&P Global Ratings, Moody’s and Fitch – to upgrade their ratings outlooks
for the district.
These academic and financial successes resulted in an unprecedented display of
community support for our district as citizens of Manatee County approved two separate
voter referendums in a span of 16 months.
Voters approved the renewal of a 15-year half-cent sales tax on November 8, 2016, to
help fund school district capital needs. Then, on March 20, 2018, voters approved a fouryear,
one-mill property tax increase to increase instructional time for students and make
teacher and staff pay more competitive.
There are challenges. We have been working diligently with local law enforcement to
increase the level of security on all our campuses. Student and employee safety is our
top priority and we have initiated a multi-pronged approach to making our campuses and
district worksites as safe as possible.
In addition, our county continues to grow. We currently have three schools under
construction – North River High School, Dr. Mona Jain Middle School and Barbara A.
Harvey Elementary School – all scheduled to open in August 2019. Preparations for
opening these new schools will be ongoing throughout this school year.
As you can see, we have a lot to be thankful for, and a lot of work ahead.
Welcome back. Let’s make this another great school year!
Cynthia Saunders
Superintendent
August 2018.