BRADENTON, Fla. — An increase on property taxes that is supposed to be helping all of Manatee County's students could actually be hurting some of the most underprivileged.

  • Money from March referendum going to public and charter schools
  • But contract sites aren't getting a cut
  • School board will address issue at December meeting

County voters approved a $1 million increase on property taxes in March.

The money is going straight to teacher salaries and a longer day at public and charter schools.

But Just for Girls in Bradenton and nine more of the district's so-called "contract" sites aren't getting a cut.

"It was a difficult summer, as the teachers were beginning to see the opportunities financially for them," said Becky Canesse, executive director of Just for Girls.

Canesse said to keep her teachers, they had to match the salaries they'd be getting at a traditional public school.

The cost was about $100,000.

"We'll be operating on a line of credit. We're extending ourselves to do the right thing for the best interest of the students that we serve," Canesse said.

The school has been contracted through the county's drop-out prevention department for 25 years.

Its goal is to provide an alternative education for young girls.

But since it's not a traditional public school or a charter, it wasn't included in the referendum.

"I put the blame on the board for not thinking this piece through more thoroughly," said school board member Charlie Kennedy.

Kennedy says he is confident that the district can find a solution. But what that might be, or how soon, is up in the air.

"We've gotten ourselves into a situation, but we'll have to just talk through it and find a way out," Kennedy said.

The school board plans to take up this issue at its first meeting in December.