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Schools

With the elementary portion of Lake Manatee K-8, right, opening in August 2025, and the middle school portion, being constructed on the left, opening in August 2026, the School District of Manatee County needs to redistrict in 2025.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 2, 2025
Redistricting among issues Manatee schools will face in 2025

With five new schools opening by 2027, the School Board of Manatee County will have to approve new school zones.

  • East County
  • Schools
McNeal Elementary third-grade teacher Stacy Freeman is one of four finalists for the 2025 School District of Manatee County Educator of the Year award.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 1, 2025
McNeal Elementary teacher named a finalist for Educator of the Year

Through her 18 years of teaching, Stacy Freeman's work goes beyond the classroom

  • East County
  • Schools
Rachel Walmsley lines up a shot during shooting practice at Braden River High School on Thursday, Dec. 12.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • December 27, 2024
Braden River senior helps JROTC team have a shot at air rifle tournament

Rachel Walmsley is floating on air after winning her region's air rifle match.

  • East County
  • Schools
Students enjoy the experience at a Holiday House.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 19, 2024
Holiday House SRQ brings the joy of gift-giving to underserved students

The nonprofit, now serving four Sarasota schools, provides a festive shopping experience allowing kids to take gifts for family and one for themselves.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Karen Holbrook will be succeeded by Brett Kemker, vice provost and regional vice chancellor for academic affairs and student success at USF Sarasota-Manatee, in an interim role.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 14, 2024
USF Sarasota-Manatee honors regional chancellor as she prepares to retire

The campus attributes accomplishments to Karen Holbrook including the opening of the Student Center and Atala Residence Hall.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Michelle Sanchez, a paraprofessional at William H. Bashaw Elementary School, is able to spend more time with her son Tiago Sanchez now that she works at his school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 10, 2024
Manatee finds success recruiting from within school communities

Parents have been inspired to become paraprofessionals, teachers and administrators.

  • East County
  • Schools
Dr. Mona Jain Middle School's new agriculture program gives seventh grader Jaiden Morgan and eighth grader Cooper Burke an opportunity to work hands on with plants.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 10, 2024
Dr. Mona Jain Middle School starts FFA program

Students begin to work with plants and rabbits and will start with chickens next semester.

  • East County
  • Schools
Pine View School was evacuated Tuesday morning after a bomb threat was reported.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 3, 2024
Pine View School evacuated after bomb threat

The incident also may be connected to other false alarms across the U.S.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Braden River High School JROTC cadets volunteer for Manatee County Habitat for Humanity. They work on refurbishing a home with hopes of the new owners being able to move in by Christmas.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 3, 2024
Braden River High JROTC cadets volunteer for Habitat for Humanity

Cadets help refurbish a home for new owners as a service project.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River Middle School Principal Kimberlain Zenon has been named the School District of Manatee County's Principal of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 2, 2024
Braden River Middle principal named Manatee's Principal of the Year

Kimberlain Zenon grew with Braden River Middle, going from parent to teacher to principal.

  • East County
  • Schools
Tom Brugos, the STEM teacher, never thought when he started at Gene Witt Elementary School in 1994 that he would have 3D printers, robots and drones.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 1, 2024
Gene Witt Elementary School celebrates its 30th anniversary

Founding teachers say the family atmosphere and values of the school stay strong 30 years after it was built.

  • East County
  • Schools
Liz Barker, who served as part of the boundary advisory committee, has children who attend Lakeview and will be affected by new boundary change to Skye Ranch.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 27, 2024
Rezoning to relocate 1,187 Sarasota students to Skye Ranch School

The school board unanimously approved a proposal that would rezone students from Ashton Elementary, Lakeview Elementary and Sarasota Middle to the new K-8 Skye Ranch School.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The current board makeup consists of Tim Enos, Bridget Ziegler, Robyn Marinelli, Liz Barker and Tom Edwards.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 23, 2024
Sarasota School Board swears in newly elected members

Liz Barker was sworn in for her first term, while Tom Edwards was sworn in for a second term.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Police officers responded to a lockdown initiated at Sarasota High School Nov. 22. It was determined to be a false alarm.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • November 22, 2024
Sarasota High lockdown blamed on nearby construction

Sarasota High was on a brief lockdown Friday, which was apparently a false alarm.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Kindergartners Mila Park and Eliana Fitzmorris give it their all in every song.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 22, 2024
McNeal Elementary hosts annual kindergarten Thanksgiving program

Kindergartners sing and gobble the night away.

  • East County
  • Schools
« 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 »
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Latest News

1
The town of Longboat Key is taking steps to condemn and demolish the house at 6541 Gulfside Road, nicknamed the Half Moon House.
  • April 20, 2026
Town sends compliance agreement to Half Moon house owner
2
Truck driver killed in Interstate 75 wreck
  • April 20, 2026
Truck driver killed in Interstate 75 wreck
3
Patrick Robinson at the dais with Interim City Manager Jennifer Jorgensen during a recent City Commission meeting.
  • April 20, 2026
Sarasota deputy city manager announces retirement
4
Kojo's incredibly delish truffled chicken wontons ($14).
  • April 20, 2026
Live large with a tiny taste of the best truffle dishes in town
5
Awardees joined members of the Longboat Key Garden Club's grant committee on April 17 to celebrate receiving funding for their community environmental education and outreach programs. Members raised money all year to support local organizations and fund student scholarships given at the annual meeting.
  • April 20, 2026
Garden club uplifts environment, education with record funding

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