Bay District Schools

The total millage rose slightly, from 5.311 to 5.337. Coverage at the tentative stage described it as the first increase in six years and 0.99% above the rolled-back rate. The state sets the Required Local Effort portion (3.089 mills), which the district reported would yield about $104.5M toward FEFP funding. Source

For FY2025 the school board lowered total millage by 0.172 mills. Source

FLDOE Bay District 2025-26 Total Budget data (BayTotalBUD2526); School Board tentative budget hearing minutes, July 31, 2025 Related: go.boarddocs.com · Compare every government's budget · Budget explorer

$147.0M owed — about $735 per resident. Certificates of participation (direct placements) $139,325,000 + unamortized premium $7,438,170 + copier leases $274,187. Excludes estimated insurance claims ($13,844,137), compensated absences ($15,264,842), pension and OPEB.

Audited financial statements · All local debt

1. Audit Adjusting Entries (first reported 2024) Repeat

   Significant corrections were needed, including unearned state funds not identified, an unrecorded IT subscription agreement, misclassified capital spending, and OPEB, accrual and lease adjustments. The auditor ties it partly to a lack of appropriate staffing.

2. Expenditures not limited to budgeted amounts (first reported by Auditor General as AM 2023-001) Repeat

   General Fund spending exceeded the budget in three functional categories by a total of $326,700, and the Board did not amend the budget by September 10 as state law and Board policy require. Caused by year-end adjustments not reflected in budget monitoring.

3. Return of Title IV funds worksheets not documented as independently reviewed (federal, Pell Grant, Haney Technical College)

   Refunds of federal student aid were calculated correctly, but there was no sign-off showing an independent review. Material weakness; no questioned costs.

4. Return of Title IV funds not made within required timeline (federal, Pell Grant)

   For 2 of 9 students tested, federal aid was returned to the U.S. Department of Education after the 45-day deadline because of manual-control human error. Could risk future Pell funding. Significant deficiency.

FY2025 audit · All audit findings

Most recent split votes

1. Sep 22, 2026 · 2-3
   Rejected $3.05 million MacBook purchase for students

   Voted no: Jerry Register, Ann Leonard, Chris Moore

2. Aug 11, 2026 · 4-1
   Approved $2.27 million for sheriff's school deputies

   Voted no: Jerry Register

3. Jul 28, 2026 · 4-1
   Renewed PanCare school health services contract

   Voted no: Jerry Register

4. Jul 14, 2026 · 4-1
   Raised Chartwells meal price by 10 cents

   Voted no: Jerry Register

All Bay District Schools votes, by member

• 2026-10-27 15:00 School Board Meeting
• 2026-11-10 15:00 School Board Meeting
• 2026-11-17 15:00 School Board Meeting - Organizational Meeting

All meetings