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Sarasota | Schools

As the Florida Department of Education investigates the Sarasota County Schools mask policy and considers potential sanctions, the district is defending the school board’s right to adopt the regulations. File photo
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 2, 2021
Sarasota County School Board responds to state’s mask mandate investigation

Although the Florida Department of Education has contended the mask requirement violates state regulations, the school district’s attorney argues it’s a permissible response to a health crisis.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Five-year-old Tiana Haywood walks with mom Reva Kates to her kindergarten class at Tuttle Elementary School on the first day of school. Sarasota County Schools will now require students and staff to wear masks indoors. File photo
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 20, 2021
Sarasota County School Board adopts mask mandate

At an emergency meeting that drew more than two hours of public input, a split board voted to defy state regulations and require masks for students and staff for the next 90 days.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Superintendent Brennan Asplen discusses the effects of COVID-19 on Sarasota County School operations during a workshop on Tuesday, Aug. 17. Image via Sarasota County Schools.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 17, 2021
Sarasota school board plans special meeting on mask mandate

After school officials discussed the strain COVID-19 has placed on operations, multiple board members expressed an interest in revisiting the district’s optional mask policy.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Katilin Johnstone reads to children during an after school program at Alta Vista Elementary School. Photo courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 12, 2021
Sarasota teacher turns clothing sales into books for children

Kaitlin Johnstone, a former Alta Vista Elementary teacher, launched Kind Cotton to help promote child literacy.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
SCIP students begin planting the microforest at Nathan Benderson Park. Photo courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 12, 2021
Students spend summer building microforest

Students in the Faulhaber Fab Lab's summer program worked to design and install a microforest at Nathan Benderson Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • August 10, 2021
With masks on their minds and faces, Sarasota students head back to school

Asplen announces 30-day ban on field trips, non-essential campus visitors.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 3, 2021
Sarasota outperforms state average in FSA tests

The district ranked third in English and sixth in mathematics.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Riverview and Booker high schools are considering adding a beach volleyball program to help bring the schools into Title IX compliance.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 3, 2021
Schools need improvements in Title IX compliance, hiring practices, study finds

The Sarasota school district showed strides in advanced class enrollment, but still needs to improve equity in staff and sports.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The district's millage rate will decrease by 3.8%, but residents may still pay more in taxes. because of an increase in the median property value.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 28, 2021
Sarasota School Board adopts tentative budget, millage rate

The district's millage rate will decrease by 3.8%, but residents may still pay more in taxes.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Chloe Bernal, a 2021 graduate of Booker High School, was named one of 300 Bank of America Student leaders.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 27, 2021
Sarasota student leader learns value of volunteering

A Booker High School graduate was named one of 300 Bank of America Student Leaders.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 26, 2021
Sarasota teacher finishes as runner-up for Florida Teacher of the Year

Fruitville Elementary School teacher Kari Johnson, the Sarasota Schools Teacher of the Year, was one of five finalists for the statewide honor.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Amy Gorman, left, was named director of development and Julie Santiago has been promoted to director of student life.Â
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 21, 2021
Cardinal Mooney adds two new administrators

Amy Gorman was named the Director of Development and Julie Santiago has been promoted to Director of Student Life.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 15, 2021
Sarasota superintendent receives top marks

Sarasota schools superintendent was ranked as "highly effective" after his first year on the job, triggering performance-based pay increases.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences Alessa Laczkoski and students Kila Sons and Sriva Boggavarapu say Tech Trek helps encourage a career in STEM.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 14, 2021
Camp encourages young girls to pursue STEM careers

Tech Trek accepts about 100 young, female students from around Florida. This year, six Sarasota County Schools students were chosen.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Brennan Asplen has been on the job for about a year.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 13, 2021
Sarasota school board rates superintendent as 'highly effective'

Asplen gets highest possible rating for board after challenge-filled first year.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
« 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 »
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Latest in Sarasota

1
The building at the corner of N. Boulevard of the Presidents and Madison Drive may be the location of a revived Shore Restaurant on St. Armands Circle.
  • December 12, 2025
Shore Restaurant could return to St. Armands
2
Andy Harshman of Sarasota High School was named the 2026 Sarasota County Teacher of the Year.
  • December 12, 2025
Sarasota High science leader named 2026 Teacher of the Year
3
Part of the renovation of Fruitville Library is a new History Center, replacing a building in Osprey a document calls "aging and inadequate to house the county's collections of historic artifacts.''
  • December 12, 2025
Fruitville Library renovations begin with Dec. 18 closure
4
Cardinal Mooney football gathers at midfield and poses for a photo. The Cougars scored on every single one of their drives in the FHSAA Class 2A state championship, piling up 52 points against the Bulldogs.
  • December 11, 2025
Cardinal Mooney is state football champ again
5
Former Sarasota City Attorney Robert Fournier has drafted an updated noise ordinance for the city, which was approved by the City Commission on first reading.
  • December 11, 2025
City asks: How much noise is too much?

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