Sarasota School Board tables budget decisions

Although the Sarasota County School Board took its first look last week at budget projections for the 2013 fiscal year, the board will not make any decisions about the spending plan until spring at the earliest, Chairwoman Caroline Zucker said this week.

The board not only needs to know the final figures for school funding from the Florida Legislature, she said, but it also wants to review recommendations expected in March from a national consulting firm that is examining district operations for efficiency and effectiveness.

The good news, though, Zucker said, is “I think we did really well with the savings we managed,” by cutting expenses last year. “It seems like every year, we are reducing costs more and more.”

The consulting firm, Tallahassee-based MGT of America, is undertaking its study at the request of community members. The work is being funded through a private contract with the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

The legislative session is scheduled to end March 9; it began earlier this year than usual — Jan. 10 — because of the necessity of redistricting. MGT tentatively is set to deliver its recommendations in early March, as well.

Click here to view school board budget information for 2012-13