Riverview lands big donation

The Riverview High School aquaculture program Stars for Starfish got a financial boost yesterday when the Sarasota County School Board voted unanimously to approve a $100,000 anonymous donation to the school.

Half of the amount will be allotted to the marine science program, which will be used to build a dock on Phillippi Creek and purchase a $20,000 pontoon boat said Sarasota attorney George Mazzarantani, who represented the donor at the meeting. The permitting process will also be expedited, he said, with the help of Riverview Principal Linda Nook. “If you’ve ever dealt with permit issues, let alone permit issues with a navigable body of water,” he explained. “It’s a nightmare.”

The remaining $50,000 will be used by the school’s music program. Mark Spreen, director of the music program, will use $30,000 to buy new instruments and $20,000 to purchase a much-needed band tower. The school currently rents a scissor lift. “The band tower is what keeps (Spreen) alive,” he said.