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East County | Schools

The School Board of Manatee County is working on a proposed map of new district lines.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 10, 2021
School Board of Manatee County discusses redistricting

School board members drawing up new zones for districts.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, and Charlie Kennedy, the chair of the School Board of Manatee County, celebrate the renewal of the district's 1-mill property tax referendum.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 2, 2021
Manatee County voters approve continuation of school district's 1-mill property tax

The School District of Manatee County's 1-mill property tax referendum passes with 69.27% of the vote.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 21, 2021
Braden River Elementary rocks the school day in Lakewood Ranch

Rock Our School Day at Braden River Elementary gives students an opportunity to leave their mark on campus.

  • East County
  • Schools
Debra Otey has been named the new head of school for Out-of-Door Academy. She will begin serving in the position July 1, 2022. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 20, 2021
Out-of-Door Academy names new head of school

Debra Otey will lead ODA beginning July 1, 2022.

  • East County
  • Schools
Brooke Sollie, a fifth grader at Myakka City Elementary School, will show Clementine at the Manatee County Fair.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 20, 2021
Myakka City Elementary starts agriculture science program

New barn at Myakka City Elementary provides hands-on experiences.

  • East County
  • Schools
Charlie Kennedy, a member of the School Board of Manatee County, debates Bradenton's Garin Hoover when the School District of Manatee County's 1-mill property tax referendum was being voted on in 2018. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 13, 2021
Some Manatee County residents ready to oppose school district's tax referendum

Opposition says taxpayers will enable wasteful school district by approving referendum.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sam Leavy, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School is named a semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 11, 2021
Two east Bradenton students named National Merit Scholarship Program semifinalists

Students at Braden River and Lakewood Ranch high schools named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists.

  • East County
  • Schools
Maureen Geary, a third grade teacher at Myakka City Elementary School, teachers a vocabulary lesson to Katherine Millan-Pureco and America Carranza-Vazquez. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 6, 2021
Manatee schools see decrease in COVID-19 cases

Even with dropping COVID numbers, district schools will continue protocols.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 1, 2021
Lakewood Ranch elementary school celebrates International Peace Day

McNeal Elementary students and staff create a peace train to show what peace means to them.

  • East County
  • Schools
Senior JT Wright, junior Ty Moore, junior Jackie Sanchez and senior Liam Tvenstrup dress as pirates, which is the school's mascot, to bring team spirit to bootcamp.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 29, 2021
Braden River High TSA chapter hosts bootcamp

Braden River's Technology Student Association bootcamp helps its members form bonds.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 24, 2021
Braden River High School brings magic to the stage in east Bradenton

Student-led Night of Magic cabaret show leads to children singing and dancing along.

  • East County
  • Schools
Carlos E. Haile Middle School eighth grader Isabella Castro-Cardona, seventh grader Alyssa Babyak and eighth grader Kaleb Guy spend time reading. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 23, 2021
New All Access Pass allows students to reach Manatee County public library resources

School District of Manatee County students can access Manatee County library resources from home through All Access Pass.

  • East County
  • Schools
R. Dan Nolan Middle School eighth graders Payton Gee and Alexa Dziubek talk to Pam Rahn, a pre-medical program teacher, about what they've learned by using the Anatomage Table.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 22, 2021
Manatee School District 1-mill property tax provides funding for hands-on learning in STEM

East County teachers say equipment they've purchased with the additional millage ignites students' passion.

  • East County
  • Schools
Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School fifth and fourth graders work work together to donate 57 bags filled with clothing, stuffed animals and blankets to Afghan children who are refugees. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 21, 2021
McNeal Elementary students collect donations for Afghan refugees

McNeal Elementary students work together to collect blankets, stuffed animals and clothing for Afghan refugees.

  • East County
  • Schools
Tiffany McCoy, a junior, and Maya Lander, a senior, are careful while twirling batons that are on fire. Lander says she gets nervous at first, but it doesn't take longer for her to get used to the fire.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 16, 2021
Lakewood Ranch High baton twirlers keep tradition going

Lakewood Ranch High twirlers add a unique spin to their performance.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River's John Thomas Wright, Thomas Adamson and Gabe French perform with the Marching Band of Pirates during halftime.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 15, 2021
Manatee School District adds visual and performing arts to millage allocations

If 1-mill ad valorem property tax is renewed, arts programs will be bolstered.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lemeki, a 3-year-old elephant with the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, was found abandoned in Kenya as a result of flooding. Photo courtesy and copyright of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 9, 2021
Lakewood Ranch fifth graders adopt an elephant

McNeal Elementary fifth graders address the elephant in the room.

  • East County
  • Schools
Patty Haeussler, a social studies teacher at Lakewood Ranch High School, was named a Social Studies Teacher of the Year by Florida Council for the Social Studies. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 9, 2021
Lakewood Ranch High social studies teacher earns recognition for her passion.

Patty Haeussler was named Social Studies Teacher of the Year by Florida Council for the Social Studies.

  • East County
  • Schools
Mark Speciner, a social studies teacher at Booker High School, has his mother, Lila Speciner, share her experiences of being in the World Trade Center during the attacks on 9/11 as an introduction to his lessons about Sept. 11.
  • By Liz Ramos and Brynn Mechem
  • September 9, 2021
9.11 Remembered: Teachers change how they approach history of attacks

Twenty years later, teachers are finding themselves teaching students who weren't alive on Sept. 11

  • East County
  • News
Construction continues on the addition at Braden River Middle School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 1, 2021
Growth in the Lakewood Ranch-area leads to more school construction

Renovations planned for seven Lakewood Ranch-area schools, along with a new school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Maya Lander, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, creates a relax room for students to use when they're under a lot of stress or feeling anxious. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 26, 2021
Lakewood Ranch Girl Scout creates relax room for students

Lakewood Ranch High School senior creates a relaxation room for students.

  • East County
  • Schools
Carlos E. Haile Middle School students and teachers can opt out of wearing masks in the classroom.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 25, 2021
Lakewood Ranch-area parents uncertain of how the school year will progress

With COVID-19 spike in the School District of Manatee, parents clash on proper direction.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 25, 2021
Lakewood Ranch High School cheerleaders ready to raise spirits

Mustangs hold the crowd in the pompons of their hand.

  • East County
  • Schools
The School Board of Manatee County votes 3-2 to extend its mask mandate with opt out option until Oct. 29.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 24, 2021
School Board of Manatee County extends mask mandate

A mask mandate with opt-out option will be in place for the School District of Manatee County until Oct. 29.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch Charter Academy is one step closer to opening in August 2022 with the approval of its contract with the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 18, 2021
Lakewood Ranch Charter Academy one step closer to becoming a reality

With contract approval, Lakewood Ranch Charter Academy focuses on a location.

  • East County
  • Schools
Gina Messenger, a member of the School Board of Manatee County, says there isn't a difference between an optional mask policy and a mask mandate with an opt out option.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 16, 2021
School Board of Manatee County approves a mask mandate with opt out option

All students and employees will have the option to opt out of the School District of Manatee County's mask mandate.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kristen Cunningham, an assistant principal at Braden River Middle School, checks Normalinda Faudoa's temperature. Temperature checks will be taken daily for employees and randomly for students. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 12, 2021
COVID-19 protocols increasing in Manatee schools

Manatee County schools will implement several protocols that were in place last year while masks remain optional.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 10, 2021
Lakewood Ranch area schools back in session as School District of Manatee County opens

Bittersweet beginnings for Lakewood Ranch area parents as the new school year begins for the School District of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Schools
The School Board of Manatee County discusses COVID-19 protocols during a special meeting.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 9, 2021
School District of Manatee County sets new quarantine protocols

As the School District of Manatee County school year begins, families will have new quarantine rules.

  • East County
  • Schools
The School District of Manatee County has a new board member in Wesley "Chad" Choate.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 7, 2021
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appoints new member to School Board of Manatee County

Chad Choate will replace Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes on the School District of Manatee County board.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cliff Dawson, the new director of bands at Braden River High School, makes a few jokes during Marching Band of Pirates rehearsal. Students say Dawson is outgoing, entertaining and serious.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 6, 2021
Braden River High School welcomes familiar face as new director of bands

New Director of Bands Cliff Dawson hopes to continue the success the Pirates had under Jeramiah Bowman.

  • East County
  • Schools
Nicolas Juliano celebrates his first day of first grade at Braden River Elementary while his sister, Isabella Juliano, celebrates her first day of pre-K. The Julianos take a picture on the first day every year. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 5, 2021
Lakewood Ranch families make the first day of school memorable

Whether it's breakfast-in-bed or a special getaway, traditions mark the opening day of school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Benny the dog is a secret weapon when it comes to getting 5-year-old Mya Medford out of bed for school. He licks her face until she gets up.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 5, 2021
Waking up for school isn't always easy for some Lakewood Ranch families

Opening day of school is an eye-opener for area students.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, works with Ted Lindenberg, the director of Books for Kids, to ensure volunteers can go into classes to read and distribute books. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 29, 2021
Lakewood Ranch rotarian receives award for Books for Kids program

Country Club's Ted Lindenberg receives Local Impact Award for promoting literacy.

  • East County
  • Schools
Melanie Bevan, the chief of the Bradenton Police Department, Jennifer Gilray, the assistant director of MTC's east campus, and Jay Romine, the law enforcement program director at MTC, work to open a firing range and driving course
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 28, 2021
MTC to have new firing range and driving pad in Myakka

MTC joins with the Bradenton Police Department to build a new shooting range and driving pad in Myakka City.

  • East County
  • Schools
John Schindler is the new director of bands at Lakewood Ranch High School. He looks forward to continuing the successes and traditions of the band programs.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 27, 2021
Lakewood Ranch High School has new director of bands

New band director John Schindler wants to maintain the Marching Mustangs' success and traditions.

  • 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
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  • 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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