Manatee County School Board approves start dates

Manatee County students will return to school two weeks earlier in the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 school years, due to a School Board decision yesterday,

Classes will now start Aug. 10, and achool will end May 31, as opposed to June 9, which was the end date for the 2015-2016 school year.

The board voted 4-1 for the changes, with only School Board Member David Miner opposing.

Miner said during the meeting he thought students returning to school for just two days after Memorial Day, was a "waste of time and money."

Winter break will span from Dec. 22 through Jan. 8, with students returning Jan. 9.

Click here to view the calendar for the 2016-2017 school year.

Other meeting highlights include the school board approving the teacher and support staff salary increase contract with the Manatee Education Association. Officials floated the proposal in November.

County teachers will receive a three-quarters of 1% pay raise, and paraprofessionals, such as teacher aides, teacher assistants and other individuals who provide support to teachers, will receive a 73 cent-per-hour raise.

Returning paraprofessionals will receive a $300 bonus.

The district is contributing $4.9 million toward healthcare costs and raises. The money comes from the school district's general operating fund as part of its fiscal budget.