Guest Author
Countless demands have contributed to Florida school districts’ challenges in recruiting new teachers and retaining experienced ones. A lack of attainable housing for professional educators and support staff makes it difficult to attract qualified individuals to the state — or to keep the talent retained locally.
But a fresh take on mixed-use development proposed by the Education Foundation of Sarasota County could offer faculty and staff an affordable place to live in one of Florida’s top-performing school districts.
Sarasota County Schools currently employ nearly 5,800 people who serve more than 46,500 students, making the district one of the county’s largest employers — a common trend across school systems statewide. At the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s Affordable Housing Summit last fall, a report showed 73% of local employers said a lack of affordable housing has severely impacted recruitment and retention. Sarasota County Schools are no exception.
The Center for Innovation & EduDwell Living would provide workforce housing for district employees while also placing those residents in close proximity to a program hub offering resources and services for students, families, community partners and teachers.
“This project is an innovative step toward improving Sarasota’s housing stock and student achievement,” said Sen. Joe Gruters. “I’m glad to support a project that helps Florida’s current and future workforce succeed.”
As proposed, the project would bring 82 affordable, attainable and workforce housing units online, from 23 studio apartments renting for as little as $1,056 a month to three-bedroom units for $2,352.
That matters, as the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Sarasota County is $1,859 monthly.
That’s a steep price for teachers, who currently earn a starting salary of $57,000. Support staff for public schools often earn less, with starting wages between $31,000 and $46,000 a year, depending on the role.
Yet these professionals — food service providers, custodians, bus drivers and others — make valuable contributions to the quality of education for students in the region.
EduDwell would be located in the heart of downtown Sarasota — conveniently near schools while offering tenants access to a highly desired community. That’s a significant advantage over on-campus housing options available in other districts. The plan calls for the facility to operate within a qualified opportunity zone and within 3 miles of several Title I schools, making it easier for families needing program resources and support services.
If realized, this project could yield tremendous benefits for the educators shaping Sarasota County’s next generation. It will require a public-private partnership model, galvanizing funders, including the Florida Legislature, county government, foundations and individual philanthropists.
Lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis would now have the chance to embrace a model that provides much-needed, attainable housing inventory and further strengthens Florida’s public schools.
Gruters and Rep. Fiona McFarland sponsored local funding initiative requests this session to help fund the $46.8 million project. The Legislature is being asked to allocate $1.9 million — about 4% of the total cost — to support the early design and development stages and serve as a catalyst to attract other community partners. These funds would support architectural drawings and the start of construction on a nine-story building that includes workforce housing for educational staff.
In addition to housing the Education Foundation’s new headquarters, the facility would be anchored by a centralized hub for programs providing direct educational support and support for students, teachers, families, caregivers and community partners. If fully funded, construction could begin as early as August, with doors opening by the end of 2028.
Along with creating a shared housing network for educators, the Center for Innovation would house education navigators, a local college access network, postsecondary advising and career exploration services, as well as student workshops and scholarships.
Many experts agree that the teacher shortage could have more serious consequences than workforce gaps in nearly any other field. Data shows teacher vacancies have a direct, detrimental effect on student learning. Without qualified teachers, classrooms simply don’t progress the same way.
By directing state funding to this visionary, innovative project, the Florida Legislature could help fulfill bipartisan educational and workforce development goals and offer a blueprint for other communities facing the same attainable housing crisis for educators.
___
Jennifer Vigne is the president and CEO of the Education Foundation of Sarasota County.
For 35 years, the Education Foundation of Sarasota County (EdFoundationSRQ.org) has supported students and teachers because education transforms lives. As a champion for life readiness, the Education Foundation provides personalized, comprehensive resources and relationships so that students can find their purpose and progress intentionally through their K–12 schooling. Its mission is to enhance the potential of students, promote excellence in teaching, and inspire innovation in education, guided by strategic philanthropy.
