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East County | Schools

Mike Newhams began teaching science at the Out-of-Door Academy in 1997 and was known for helping anyone and everyone with anything they might need. This included staying extra hours to provide academic support and attending clubs and events.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 12, 2026
Beloved Out-of-Door Academy teacher dies

Mike Newhams, who began teaching at ODA in 1997, died due to complications from his cancer treatments.

  • 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
  • January 8, 2026
Student safety, mold issues loom for new Manatee schools superintendent

Laurie Breslin cites facility upgrades, academic improvement and higher graduation rates as high priorities for 2026.

  • East County
  • Schools
Waterside of Lakewood Ranch might have to wait longer for Sarasota County Schools to build an elementary school there.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 7, 2026
Sarasota County reevaluates need for new schools to serve Waterside

Jody Dumas, the executive director of facility services for Sarasota County Schools, said their two properties in Lakewood Ranch might sit empty for longer than anticipated.

  • East County
  • Schools
Anthony Sizemore, a Braden River High freshman, is eager to show his FFA chapter's chapter pig at the Manatee County Fair.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 7, 2026
Braden River High FFA students hope to make the grade at Manatee County Fair

After sacrificing much of their free time to care for farm animals, many of the students will be rewarded.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jamara Clark, director of student enrollment for the School District of Manatee County, presents information on school choice to members of the school board on Dec. 9.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 6, 2026
School choice selections now open in Manatee County schools

Families can apply for their children to attend an out-of-zone school through Jan. 31.

  • East County
  • Schools
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love

From Barbies and dogs to roller skates and cyber trucks, elementary students in the Lakewood Ranch area make sure Santa knows what they want.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Capri Finan, 7, Madelyn Finan, 9 and Maverick Finan, 3, pose with Santa after telling him what they want for Christmas, which includes a doll house and a trampoline.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 18, 2025
Braden River High transforms into Winter Wonderland

The annual event was organized by the school's Student Government Association.

  • East County
  • Schools
At a Junior Achievement "Discovery Center'' in Tampa, elementary-aged students run a mock city.Two similar facilities are proposed to be set up at Emma Booker Elementary and Booker Middle schools in Sarasota.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 17, 2025
Rejections sent to Manatee, Sarasota Schools of Hope requesters

Manatee and Sarasota counties say no to a pair of companies seeking campus space. But that might not be the end of it.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Pator Caleb Free's daughter JoJo Free attends Risen Savior Academy.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 16, 2025
Lutheran church brings more Christian education to Lakewood Ranch

Risen Savior Lutheran Church begins its expansion toward being a K-8 school in January.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River High School junior Mystique Quinones shakes hands with Dave Daily, post commander for VFW Post 12055, as she receives her $100 reward for her essay which answered the question “How are you showing patriotism and support for our country?”
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 16, 2025
Essay contest winners named by VFW Post 12055 Braden River

Of the seven winners for this year's Voice of Democracy essay contest, six of them are Braden River High School students, and five are part of JROTC.

  • East County
  • Schools
Nicholas Savarese, a teacher who has a background in chemical engineering, judges junior Lillian Pevzner-Downer's project on the comparison of conventionally grown crops with chemicals and pesticides versus organically grown crops at the Lakewood Ranch High School Science Fair.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 12, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High revives its science fair

Chemistry and Environmental Science Teacher Alexandra Wilcoxson put together an event that showcased the school's brightest minds.

  • East County
  • Schools
Carrie Walden, the Project Edge classroom instructor, is teaching 10 students including Mia Pardella and Justin Torres in the Project Edge program at MTC East.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 10, 2025
MTC program teaches students with disabilities skills to enter workforce

At Manatee Technical College, Project Edge is transitional program for students with intellectual disabilities to learn foundational skills.

  • East County
  • Schools
Seniors Gavin Moore, Abigail Frint and Ryan Johnson were among 12 students at Lakewood Ranch High School to set up and spread the word about the opportunities available at the new College and Career Center.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 9, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High's College and Career Center makes its debut

Set up by 12 of Lakewood Ranch's “brightest of the brightest" students, the center can help students explore their career choices.

  • 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
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Latest in East County

1
Bradenton Area EDC names interim CEO
  • January 17, 2026
Bradenton Area EDC names interim CEO
2
The crew from Station 1 walk across the parking lot to grab some lunch. From left to right: Battalion Chief Craig Madsen and firefighters Adam Stem, Evan Berggren and Tyler Schuele.
  • January 16, 2026
Braden River VFW dishes out thanks to East Manatee firefighters
3
Bradenton's Harley Busch, 3, is eager to ride the carousel alongside her father John Busch at the Manatee County Fair. She also rode a camel moments before.
  • January 16, 2026
Manatee County Fair, a tradition since 1916, is now open
4
Manatee County has announced available cold weather shelters.
  • January 15, 2026
Cold weather shelters open in Manatee, Sarasota counties for frigid spell
5
The Lakewood Ranch Pickleball Club members Mike Mulwani and Greg Pogue lost their first scrimmage 11 to nothing in 2023, but that didn't stop them from pursuing the sport to better their skills.
  • January 14, 2026
At 2,300 members, Lakewood Ranch Pickleball Club continues to grow

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