Sarasota School Board approves budget amid far-right outcry over social-emotional learning

Despite vocal outcry from several conservative groups that social-emotional learning was included in the school district's spending for the coming year, the Sarasota County School Board gave preliminary approval to its budget for 2023-24.

Ahead of the board’s 4-1 vote, which included approval of a tentative property tax rate for the next fiscal year Tuesday evening, far-right political groups rallied online against what they said was money allocated for social-emotional learning (SEL), an issue conservatives oppose along with critical race theory, diversity and LGBTQ+ topics in schools.

Several board members dismissed the concerns, citing a conclusion by the board's attorney, who said he felt the budget was in compliance with state law.

Before the vote, new superintendent Terry Connor addressed public concerns regarding the inclusion of SEL, emphasizing that the district updated the budget's language to keep the district in compliance with state law.

The initial documentation for the budget, which totals more than $1.5 billion, had about $57 million allocated for what a bullet point in the district’s strategic plan said was to “Enhance social-emotional learning and supports provided to students to promote belonging, dignity, and inclusion.”

A newer version filed later with the board's agenda for Tuesday's meeting eliminated the sentence.

https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/education/2023/08/01/sarasota-schools-budget-subject-of-far-right-criticism-as-woke/70498001007/

These MAGA zealots don't want schools to teach kids to play nice. It's obviously something they were never taught in school.