Manatee Schools Ordered to Freeze Spending

Manatee County School District has put a hold on new spending, with overtime, hiring and purchases halted at least until July 1.

Superintendent Rick Mills is urging more fiscal responsibility, as the district is unable to meet mandates for reserves.

• According to the Bradenton Herald, the freeze is on hiring and purchase orders.
• Spending that is not related to health and safety is on hold until July 1, the start of the new fiscal year.
• Overtime is eliminated, and all contracted services are under review.
• Any spending that the district does not approve as necessary will come from staff salaries, according to the Bradenton Herald.

All requests must go through the district's finance director, Angela Fraser.

The austerity measures are needed, as the district's reserves have fallen to $100,000, well below mandates from the state.

According to the Bradenton Herald, Mills said:

"These measures should reduce our spending between now and the end of the fiscal year."

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