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East County | Schools

Over the past 25 years at Braden River Middle School, Kathleen Brown has taught sixth and seventh grade math, U.S. History, and Civics. Her principal, Kimberlain Zenon, described her as a lifelong learner who is solution driven, tenacious, knowledgeable and collaborative.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 2, 2025
3 east Manatee school employees are finalists for excellence awards

Braden River Middle's Kathleen Brown, Braden River High's Clifford Dawson and Lakewood Ranch High's Kristen Martin are finalists for Manatee County's Excellence in Education Awards.

  • East County
  • Schools
Marfil Trejo, the command sergeant major for the Braden River High Raiders, crosses the rope bridge at the Florida High School JROTC Raider State Championship on Nov. 15.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 22, 2025
Braden River JROTC team wins state title

The team of eight boys and five girls win four of five events.

  • East County
  • Schools
Fourth grade students Liam Aikin, Tate Brase, Raymond Burdick and Madden Dabek will be fifth graders next year and will only have one class above them when sixth grade opens at Lake Manatee K-8.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 19, 2025
Lake Manatee K-8 to open middle school in phases

With the new rezoning maps comes the decision to open only sixth grade in August instead of sixth, seventh and eighth all at once.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ella Javier and Paityn Carr, sophomores who plays flute in the Braden River High School Marching Band, didn't let their nerves get the best of them at the FFCC Outdoor Championships, where they earned the title of Grand Champion.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 18, 2025
More marching band championships for Braden River High School

The Pirates were named the FFCC Grand Champion overall, the 3A Class Champion and the Best in Class for color guard and percussion.

  • East County
  • Schools
Manatee School District shares redrawn zoning maps, seeks feedback
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 17, 2025
Manatee School District shares redrawn zoning maps, seeks feedback

The zones for elementary, middle and K-8 schools will be implemented in the 2026-2027 school year, while high school rezoning begins 2027-2028.

  • East County
  • Schools
Laurie Breslin was named superintendent of the School District of Manatee County in August.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • November 16, 2025
Manatee School District welcomes a new leader

The new head of the School District of Manatee County brings a local flavor to the job.

  • East County
  • Schools
During field trips at Mote Marine Laboratory, students are given the opportunity to see sea creatures up close and explore whether or not a career in science is for them.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 11, 2025
Freshwater education grants awarded to two East County schools

The Southwest Florida Water Management District presented $3,000 to Lakewood Ranch High School and $2,500 to Bashaw Elementary School.

  • East County
  • Schools
This rendering offers a glimpse of the multi-building concept for the new high school slated for the corner of Rangeland Parkway and Post Boulevard.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 7, 2025
Plans for a second high school in Lakewood Ranch debated due to traffic

Some Manatee County commissioners argued that Lorraine Road should be widened before adding more traffic to the area.

  • East County
  • Schools
Todd Henson, director of maintenance at the School District of Manatee County, said mold testing throughout the Lakewood Ranch High School campus will determine whether areas of concern are mold, dirt, mildew or something else.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 5, 2025
Mold concerns grow at Lakewood Ranch High

An industrial hygienist conducts a site visit to collect samples and gather feedback from teachers and students, who say exposure to mold has made them ill.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch's Everett Wyckoff, a 12-year-old with autism, plays the cajon alongside volunteer Jules Whittemore at Gulf Coast Music Therapy.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 28, 2025
ODA students use their musical talent to help kids with autism

Jules Whittemore leads a group of six students who volunteer their time at Gulf Coast Music Therapy.

  • East County
  • Schools
Gene Witt Elementary School pre-K student Daniel Gordon was joined by his mother Christina Gordon for the field trip to the Soar Lab on Oct. 21. The manatee sensory wall provides children an opportunity to feel different textures.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 25, 2025
Manatee County students can soar at new early-learning skills lab

The Soar Lab is geared for children in Pre-K to third grade and offers an abundance of learning activities.

  • East County
  • Schools
Director of Manatee Technical College Law Enforcement Academy retires
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 23, 2025
Director of Manatee Technical College Law Enforcement Academy retires

Jay Romine served 33 years in law enforcement and over 12 years as a director at MTC in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Schools
Darian Sanders uses his passion and experience of performing to inspire students at Lakewood Ranch High School.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 22, 2025
'Lion King' star inspires Lakewood Ranch High students

Darian Sanders spent five years traveling on the Broadway tour of "The Lion King" and uses his experience to inspire students.

  • East County
  • Schools
Makenzie Legg, Zachary McClellan and Isabella Rubal are teaching at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary, which is the very elementary school they attended as children.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 15, 2025
Three former McNeal Elementary students return as educators

Zachary McClellan, Bella Rubal and Makenzie Legg once walked the halls of McNeal as students, but now they are taking inspiration from previous teachers to make a difference for students of their own.

  • East County
  • Schools
Mote's Brad Tanner, the manager of school programs, is ready to coordinate visits from students to the aquarium's teaching labs.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 9, 2025
Manatee educators plan to capitalize on new Mote aquarium

Educators say they will arrange field trips and virtual tours and will take advantage of Mote's outreach teams.

  • East County
  • Schools
Students from The Out-of-Door Academy volunteer at Mixon Fruit Farms Oct. 3.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 8, 2025
Mixon Farms benefits from ODA students' cleanup effort

Out-of-Door Academy seniors volunteered with the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance program Alliance Gives Back.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch High School seniors Zachariah Kersey, Kylie Scott and Chloe Drapak were the winners of the Rotary Club of Bradenton's essay contest on what the Constitution means to them.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 6, 2025
Three Lakewood Ranch High seniors earn Bradenton Rotary essay awards

Kylie Scott, Zachariah Kersey and Chloe Drapak wrote about what the Constitution means to them.

  • East County
  • Schools
Senior Isabelle Harrell begins work on another mural at Lakewood Ranch High School.
  • By Chloe Drapak
  • October 1, 2025
School spirit for this Lakewood Ranch High senior means painting murals

Isabelle Harrell masters the Mustang mascot as she puts her unique stamp on the campus.

  • East County
  • Schools
B. D. Gullett Elementary's Erin Devriendt, Bennett Carney, Michael Serrano and Jackie Stark are kicking off their second year together in a co-teach classroom with two full time teachers.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 30, 2025
Co-teach program at Gullett Elementary allows for extra academic support

In each grade level for first to fifth, there is a classroom with two full-time instructors teaching approximately 30 students.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch's Mary Glass is retiring after an 18 year presidency with the Manatee Education Foundation.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 23, 2025
Education Foundation chief steps aside after 18 years of making a difference

Over the course of Mary Glass' presidency at the Manatee Education Foundation, $12 million was given to the School District of Manatee County to fund programs and events.

  • East County
  • Schools
The district makes sure students are served fruit and vegetables along with protein.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 17, 2025
Manatee schools try to stay 'on trend' when it comes to student meals

Students are served popular items for breakfast and lunch but with slightly different — and healthier — ingredients.

  • East County
  • Schools
Samantha Biggs, an assistant principal at Lakewood Ranch High School, received the 2025 Yale Educator Award after being nominated by former student Addison Shea, who now attends Yale University.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 16, 2025
LRHS instructor nominated for Yale award by former student

Samantha Biggs, now the assistant principal at Lakewood Ranch High School, received the 2025 Yale Educator Award.

  • East County
  • Schools
Laurie Breslin was officially sworn in as the superintendent for the School District of Manatee County on Sept. 9.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 12, 2025
Manatee School Board approves $245,000 superintendent contract

Laurie Breslin also has incentives in her contract, a point of contention with two school board members.

  • East County
  • Schools
Mathematics teacher Jeff Hilt and social studies teacher Dan McLean are the last remaining classroom teachers that were there when Braden River High School opened in 2005.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 10, 2025
Braden River High celebrates its 20th anniversary in Bradenton

Original staff members reflect on the past 20 years.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch's Dylan Walker, the captain of the Out-of-Door Academy football team, organized a fundraiser to benefit the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund. It took place during their rivalry game against Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School on Sept. 5.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 10, 2025
ODA football captain raises $5,400 to benefit local storm recovery

Dylan Walker draws up the strategy for a fundraiser at a rivalry game in Lakewood Ranch to donate to Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund.

  • East County
  • Schools
B.D. Gullett Elementary front desk clerk and parent Cristina Holland, student Brooke Green and Principal Julie Gierhart are ready to take on the school year with fewer bodies in the school.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 8, 2025
New school provides relief for previously overcrowded BD Gullett Elementary

After losing 400 students, the Lakewood Ranch school has a more manageable enrollment of 1,000.

  • East County
  • Schools
DJ Harpole, the band director, and Nohemi Perez, the orchestra director, have worked at Carlos E. Haile Middle School for three years, building their students' passion and motivation for music.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 4, 2025
Can't beat the new music teachers at Carlos E. Haile Middle

Orchestra director Nohemi Perez and band director DJ Harpole have rebuilt the program and their students' passion for music.

  • East County
  • Schools
Laurie Breslin has been named the new superintendent for the School District of Manatee County in a unanimous vote on Aug. 26.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 1, 2025
Superintendent shares five goals for Manatee County School District

Laurie Breslin graduated from Manatee High School in 1995, and 30 years later, she will run the district.

  • East County
  • Schools
Third grader Alexander Muenchow chose to draw an axolotl. He says he enjoys using special tools on the iPad that may not be in the classroom such as a glitter tool and stickers.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 31, 2025
Gene Witt Elementary digital art lab is in full swing with community support

Funds from Neal Communities, The Patterson Foundation and fundraisers paved the way for the elementary school to start a digital lab.

  • East County
  • Schools
Laurie Breslin has been named the new superintendent for the School District of Manatee County in a unanimous vote on Aug. 26.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 27, 2025
Laurie Breslin named as the new Manatee County superintendent

After a two-month superintendent search, the Manatee County School Board decided to hire from within.

  • East County
  • Schools
The two finalists for the superintendent position are Misty Mathis, the executive director of curriculum and instruction for the Nassau County School District, and Laurie Breslin, the executive director of student support and family engagement for the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 20, 2025
Superintendent finalists share their goals for Manatee County School District

Laurie Breslin and Misty Mathis spent Aug. 18 being interviewed by the school board and meeting with community members.

  • East County
  • Schools
The School District of Manatee County proceeds with the full high school option with two academic buildings instead of one, which provides 2,000 student stations.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 18, 2025
New high school will be built in Lakewood Ranch

High School AAA is estimated to cost $200 million with the goal of opening in August 2027.

  • East County
  • Schools
Laurie Breslin of the School District of Manatee County and Misty Mathis of Nassau County School District have been selected as finalists in the superintendent search.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 12, 2025
Manatee School Board selects two finalists for superintendent position

Laurie Breslin and Misty Mathis will meet the public Aug. 18 at Manatee Technical College.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ricardo Vasquez and Monica Rodriguez wish their daughter Kiali Vasquez good luck on her first day with a kiss. Kiali is determined to get straight A's.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 11, 2025
Lake Manatee K-8 opens to students for the first time in Lakewood Ranch

On the first day of school, Principal Todd Richardson was eager to finally have students on campus.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch's Peter and Athena Hotaling enjoy using their phones to connect with friends and family, play games, use social media and more. With the new phone restrictions, they will have to save those things for after school hours.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 11, 2025
New phone policy will be 'learning curve' for Manatee students

Per House Bill 1105, elementary and middle school students will be required to turn off and stow away electronic devices during school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch residents Shaun Ulstad and Andrew Cordani are eager to start their senior year at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, which is one step closer to a potential future at MIT.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 8, 2025
One final year for Lakewood Ranch Prep seniors to chase their dreams

Shaun Ulstad and Andrew Cordani hope their work gains them acceptance into MIT.

  • East County
  • Schools
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Latest in East County

1
CEO Mike Bisaha says the new equipment will at least triple Big Top Brewing Co.'s beer production.
  • December 3, 2025
Big Top to open expanded brew house at Sarasota's Fruitville Commons
2
Mill Creek's Ilana Simone, who performs as Ilana Armida, has returned to her roots after living in Los Angeles to pursue her musical career.
  • December 3, 2025
Mill Creek musical artist continues to search for her audience
3
Lakewood Ranch High School graduate Jason Huh has founded a few different companies, including Sodi Pop. Sodi Pop is now available in a healthy vending machine at the school for staff and students to enjoy.
  • December 3, 2025
Sodi Pop, billed as a healthier product, comes to Lakewood Ranch High
4
Marine Corps veteran Dale Cole lives in Greenfield Plantation and is a regular user of Manatee Moves.
  • December 3, 2025
Ride service for Manatee County veterans is on the move
5
Commissioners George Kruse and Bob McCann are on opposite sides of the AAA High School vote. Kruse voted in favor of approving the site plan, and McCann voted to deny the site plan.
  • December 3, 2025
Manatee commissioners have final say about new school but no real power

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