5 Things You Need to Know Today: August 1

1.The will hold a public hearing on its budget tonight at 5:45 p.m. in the Board Room at 215 Manatee Ave. W. Jim Drake, Assistant Superintendent for Business Services, will present the 2011-12 fiscal year tentative millage and the $579,733,338 proposed budget. The tentative millage is 7.690 mills up from 7.5910. If approved, the increased millage rate will cost taxpayers nearly $10 for every $100,000 of a home's taxable value. In addition the school board is proposing a supplemental operating discretionary millage of .748. Members of the public will have an opportunity to voice their opinions on the proposed budget at tonight's hearing. The final budget hearing will be held on September 8.

2. An online photo contest to benefit both Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Sarasota and Majical Miniatures Animal Sanctuary in Parrish. The contest starts today and ends October 20 with a different theme each month: August is nature, September is animals and October is pink in honor of breast cancer awareness. Participants can enter one photo in either one or all three categories. The entry fee is $10. The photo with the most votes in each category wins a first prize package. There will also be an honorable mention prize chosen by a panel of judges. All prizes were donated by local business sponsors. This is a fundraiser so there is a fee of $1 per vote with no limit to the amount of votes pledged. To learn more visit www.takethepicture.org.

3. Center Montessori School is hosting an open house for parents of children ages 3 through 8. The school will offer information on Maria Montessori's approach to educating children. The open house is from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Center Montessori School, 6024 26th Street West. Call Michelle or Wendy at 753-4987 for information.

4. The Council of Governments will meet Tuesday at 4 p.m. in the Bradenton City Council Chambers. The council of governments includes representatives from each of the county's governmental agencies, including each municiplaity, the school board, the county commission, and the airport authority. The meetings are open to the public.

5. The United Way of Manatee County and its partner agencies are collecting backpacks for their "Give Back ... Backpack" Campaign. Backpacks are necessary tools for more than 2 million runaway and homeless youths in America. To donate or for more information, call 941-747-1509, ext. 313.