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East County | Schools

The second option for High School AAA, with a $107,000,000 budget, would provide 1,000 student stations and 139,000 square feet of space. Later additions might include an auditorium, gymnasium and other athletic fields.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 5, 2025
School board to decide fate of new high school in Lakewood Ranch

Two options being studied for a high school at Rangeland Parkway and Post Boulevard, along with a possible expansion at Braden River High.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sara Geary, the head of schools at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, and Patty Scerbo, a mother to two students who attend the school, look forward to potential improvements that may be funded by their share of the half penny tax.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 30, 2025
Charter schools eager to make use of sales tax dollars

Starting in the 2025-26 school year, Manatee County charters will receive 50% of their proportionate share of anticipated revenue from the half-penny sales tax.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River High School students Cameron Brand, Jacob Zinkhan, Kylie Mohamed, Sophi Jo Branscomb and Jacqueline Lopez traveled around Ireland learning about agriculture and Irish culture along the way.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 27, 2025
Braden River FFA students study agriculture in Ireland

Their visits include a dairy farm and an "Irish racehorse experience."

  • East County
  • Schools
Antonella Imperiale, Sebastian Chasey, Naomi Rodriguez and Sarah Arco attended first grade at Braden River Elementary School which was given an A grade for the 2024-2025 school year.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 23, 2025
12 of 17 east Manatee County schools earn overall A grades

The School District of Manatee County receives an overall B rating.

  • East County
  • Schools
Nicole Williams is the new principal for Bashaw Elementary School. She is entering her 30th year in education in Manatee County, eager to make and grow new connections in the school.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 21, 2025
New principal at Bashaw Elementary has high expectations for staff and students

Nicole Williams will begin her 30th year in education in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Schools
Interim superintendent Kevin Chapman's contract was finalized in a special board meeting May 29. He will be interim until January 5, 2026 or whenever the school board hires someone in his place.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 18, 2025
Exciting school year ahead for Manatee schools

Interim Superintendent Kevin Chapman says new schools, student achievement strides spark enthusiasm in the new school year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Richard Tatem
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 18, 2025
Hiring superintendent tops District 5 school board member's goals

Richard Tatem says increasing vocational opportunities, increasing on-time bus routes important goals in 2025-26.

  • East County
  • Schools
Madison Bierl is the education and community reporter at the East County Observer.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 18, 2025
Letter from your education reporter: There's a lot to look forward to in the 2025-26 school year

Manatee County schools provides a much larger district to cover than she grew up with in Iowa.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lake Manatee K-8 is the first K-8 school in the School District of Manatee County to be built from the ground up with the purpose of serving elementary and middle school kids.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 16, 2025
Lake Manatee K-8 school readies for opening day in Lakewood Ranch

Administrators, teachers and students are all beginning their voyage at the new school together.

  • East County
  • Schools
Daniel Bradshaw, the principal of Parrish Community High School, and Carol Ricks, the principal of Myakka City Elementary School, man the registration desk at Myakka City Elementary as it serves as a shelter during Hurricane Milton.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 15, 2025
What does it take to use Manatee schools as hurricane shelters?

In the midst of a severe storm, no one is turned away from the Manatee County schools that serve as shelters.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood ranch resident Mackenzie Shin, 10 and Sarasota resident Tyler Hover, 8, explore their love for marine biology at a camp presented by Little Medical School-Suncoast.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 15, 2025
ODA hosts Little Medical School-Suncoast marine biology camp

Campers learned about pollution, tracking turtles, the layers of the ocean and more.

  • East County
  • Schools
The School District of Manatee County owns and utilizes 4 electric buses: 2 that can go 130 miles on a charge and 2 that can go up to 200. Jamie Warrington, director of transportation for the district, says there are pros and cons in terms of the environment and efficiency.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 14, 2025
Manatee needs more testing on electric school buses

Cost and the ability to serve open areas are just some of the areas that need more exploration before the School District of Manatee County purchases additional electric buses.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lake Manatee K-8 is the biggest and most well known construction project. The elementary part of the school will open in August, with the middle school set to open the following school year.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 13, 2025
3 major construction projects are almost finished for Manatee schools

Along with the new Lake Manatee K-8, the other two projects will increase capacity for students and help with overcrowding.

  • East County
  • Schools
Tim and Lauren Macri, co-owners of Beef 'O' Brady's Braden River, want the community's support to achieve their goal of providing gifts to Tara Elementary School teachers to help ease the burden of digging into their own pockets to provide for their students.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 12, 2025
Beef 'O' Brady's hosts second supply drive for Tara Elementary teachers

Community members can participate until July 31 to help ease the burden of teachers spending their own money for supplies.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Manatee County Tax Collector's Office east branch at 10705 Technology Terrace, Bradenton.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 9, 2025
Tax collector charges Manatee County schools $1.5M

The Manatee County tax collector decides to take a $1.5 million commission from the school district's referendum funds.

  • East County
  • Schools
Peter Hotaling, 13, represented R. Dan Nolan Middle School at the HOSA International Leadership Conference June 18-22 in Nashville, Tennessee.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 4, 2025
Nolan Middle student places third at international HOSA event

Peter Hotaling, 13, entered his speech in the Health Career Preparation category against students from around the world.

  • East County
  • Schools
Manatee Technical College graduates Carmen Lesser, Kelsey Seeley and Maria Galante complete the applied cybersecurity program which takes seven months.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 27, 2025
MTC graduates reflect on their lessons at graduation

Graduates Hailey Lopez-Lanuza and Sophia Swim said they found their passions at MTC.

  • East County
  • Schools
The School District of Manatee County holds meetings for the public to flip through physical maps of the proposed 2026-2027 Residential Attendance Zones.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 25, 2025
Manatee County School District seeks public feedback on rezoning

School officials and board members ask the public to make comments on the district's website.

  • East County
  • Schools
Harper Greene, an 8-year-old Myakka City resident, and Drew Randenburg, a 10-year-old Lakewood Ranch resident, were two of the "crazy cooks" at the camp.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 23, 2025
'Crazy cooks' broaden their palettes at The Out-of-Door Academy

In a camp hosted by Pure Imagination Studio and Sarasota Parks and Recreation, 22 campers learned to prepare 10 different meals and desserts.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Manatee County school board held a special meeting on Tuesday to further discuss the details of the timeline and search for a new superintendent. Richard Tatem said good leaders tend to work in different industries, not just education, and wants the candidate pool to be as big as possible.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 20, 2025
Superintendent applications open for Manatee County School District

In a special meeting, the school board further discussed its expectations and approved a new timeline.

  • East County
  • Schools
Seventh grader Bronx Hanratty and digital art teacher Katelyn Reyes went to the Dalí Museum Student Surrealist Art Exhibit where Hanratty received the Award of Excellence.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 17, 2025
Mona Jain Middle art student receives Dalí exhibit's Award of Excellence

Bronx Hanratty, a 13-year-old artist, created a piece in Photoshop to project his view on mental health.

  • East County
  • Schools
Graham Rueping, Nico Villanueva and Lane Tamberino were among the campers who learned all about plant science, animal science, environmental science and leadership at the Junior Ranchers camp.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 11, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Junior Ranchers learn about agriculture through camp

Counselors help the kids learn hands-on lessons about cows, snakes and insects.

  • East County
  • Schools
Manatee school board fires teacher accused of sexting student
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 10, 2025
Manatee school board fires teacher accused of sexting student

Oliver Fell was charged with lewd conduct against a student by an authority figure and transmission of harmful material to a minor.

  • East County
  • News
School board member Cindy Spray said "students are students to me." She has the most charter school students in her district. She made a visit to ¡HOLA! Elementary School on April 1. Spray was walking through the hallways and saw Dalba Lopez's music class dancing and they performed a special routine for her.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 4, 2025
Manatee school board will vote to give charters a cut of half-penny tax

Since 2023, charter schools have not received funding from the half-penny sales tax.

  • East County
  • Schools
Interim superintendent Kevin Chapman's contract was finalized in a special board meeting May 29. He will be interim until January 5, 2026 or whenever the school board hires someone in his place.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 4, 2025
Manatee school board wants fast process to find new superintendent

The School Board of Manatee County aims to have a new superintendent in place by the time the 2025-26 school year begins in August.

  • East County
  • Schools
Haile Middle School teacher arrested on charge of lewd contact
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 3, 2025
Haile Middle School teacher arrested on charge of lewd contact

The student told deputies that the teacher sent an explicit photo.

  • East County
  • News
Eddy Thomas, Kylie West, Kylah Scheetz and Charlotte Humlicek are among the 34 seventh grade students that will skip the eighth grade and start taking high school level classes next school year through the SOAR program.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 2, 2025
Students begin high school early with Lakewood Ranch Prep Soar program

Students in the Soar program have the opportunity to earn as many as 60 college credits during their five-year high school career.

  • East County
  • Schools
Daniel Bryan-Beachler and Bryan Thomas both grew up in Indiana and have each taught for 38 years. Bryan-Beachler has been a teacher at Lakewood Ranch High School since 2001 and Thomas has been a teacher there since the school opened in 1998.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 30, 2025
Two Lakewood Ranch High teachers retire after 38-year careers

Bryan Thomas has taught at LWRHS since its opening while Daniel Bryan-Beachler has taught at the school since 2001.

  • East County
  • Schools
Although the wave off tradition has occured since 2015, this is Board Member Heather Felton's first time.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 30, 2025
Manatee school district leaders thank bus drivers the last day of the school year

The bus drivers' "wave-off" has been a tradition since 2015 in the School District of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Schools
Head of school Debra Otey congratulates co-salutatorian Josey Rubinstein on graduating. Rubinstein was honored as a U.S. Lacrosse All-Academic American, signifying excellence in academics and athletics.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 24, 2025
ODA graduates reflect on the road ahead

The top graduates of ODA were heavily involved in horseback riding, sports and stem based activities while maintaining success in the classroom.

  • East County
  • Schools
Seventh grade students at Haile Middle School Cooper Gallegos, Connor Willats, Joshua Parker, Sofia Laubacker and Amelia Cendere make up team "Charlie."
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 23, 2025
East County robotics teams perform well at world championships

Haile Middle placed third in its division, and Mona Jain Middle placed second in its division for teamwork.

  • East County
  • Schools
Former School District of Manatee County Superintendent Jason Wysong
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 20, 2025
Manatee School Board fires superintendent

Mainly citing concerns over communication, the Manatee County School Board on Tuesday fired Superintendent Jason Wysong with just over 13 months remaining on his contract.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Lakewood Ranch High School Music Department has received the "Support Music Merit Award" from The NAMM Foundation in honor of its outstanding commitment to music education. The music department staff includes orchestra director Thomas Durante, band director John Wilkerson and choir director Rebekah Lester.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 20, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High honored with Support Music Merit Award

The award from the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation recognizes schools that demonstrate exceptional achievement.

  • East County
  • Schools
Katherine Lo, a seventh grader in digital art, created a piece inspired by video games and titled the game she created "Knight's Revenge." She generated the background using artificial intelligence.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 19, 2025
Mona Jain Middle of Lakewood Ranch hosts its second annual Art Show

Digital and traditional art pieces were featured at the show using different mediums.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kaele Smith, Sophia Eastman, Miley Walker and Sam Baker show their excitement for graduating from Braden River High School.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 15, 2025
Commencement speaker punctuates Braden River High's graduation ceremony

Louann McCord says graduation is just a "comma" in the students' lives.

  • East County
  • Schools
Mark Eubanks IV reads his essay “Chess with My Grandma” at the school board meeting April 29.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 14, 2025
Willis Elementary fifth grader wins contest with essay on grandma

Mark Eubanks won the Florida Retired Educators Association contest for Manatee County with his essay "Chess with my grandma."

  • 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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