News Briefs

+ Attorney general OKs arming officers at schools
A ruling by Attorney General Pam Bondi stated school districts may have armed security guards on campus.

The attorney general provided authority for the district to work with local law enforcement to provide school resource officers and school safety officers, school board attorney Mitchell Teitelbaum reported Nov. 21.

Both are allowed to carry guns, according to a state statute, which provides exemptions to the no-guns-on-school-campuses policy.

Hiring the armed officials falls under the “approved school-sanctioned activity” in the statute.

Teitelbaum agrees the school district may exercise its authority to use armed security guards on elementary school grounds. 

+ Manatee County School Board welcomes new leaders
The Manatee County School Board is continuing on its path toward change.

At its meeting Nov. 18, the board voted in Robert Gause as its chairman. Dave Miner is now the board’s vice chairman.

Gause replaces former School Board Chairwoman Julie Aranibar, who served as the board’s leader for two years and was ousted by new board member Mary Cantrell in the Nov. 4 election.

During the board’s reorganization meeting that preceded the regularly scheduled meeting, the board welcomed Cantrell and Charlie Kennedy to the board. Longtime board member Diana Carpenter was also sworn in.

Kennedy’s first action as a school board member was to nominate Gause for the chairman position.

+ Animal Services offers Black Saturday adoptions
Manatee County Animal Services is getting in the holiday shopping sprit.

The adoption center in Palmetto is closed Nov. 27 and Nov. 28 to observe Thanksgiving, but it’s getting in the Black Friday spirit in another way. Animal Services will offer discounted rates on dogs and cats to help the furry companions find homes for the holidays at its Black Saturday event Nov. 29.

During the event, all animals at the center will cost $15, which covers the registration fee.

Normally, Animal Services charges $80 for dogs and $40 for cats.

To view adoptable pets, visit mymanatee.org.

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY CLOSINGS
Manatee County government offices and Lakewood Ranch Town Hall are closed Nov. 27 and Nov. 28 in observation of the Thanksgiving holiday. Thanksgiving trash and recycling will be collected Friday.