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Schools

Protesters hold signs during the rally.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 13, 2023
School board calls for Bridget Ziegler's resignation

Sarasota County School Board member Bridget Ziegler has been embattled by controversy but gave no indication that she would resign from her position.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 12, 2023
Sarasota County Schools earns 'A' grade from Department of Education

The district maintains the rating for the 20th consecutive year.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Sarasota School Board member Bridget Ziegler speaks to the Republican Club of Longboat Key on April 12, 2022.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 11, 2023
Sarasota School Board to request resignation of Bridget Ziegler

The Dec. 12 Sarasota County School Board meeting follows accusations of hypocrisy against Ziegler for the admission of a tryst with her husband and another woman.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Joshua Bennett, the principal at Braden River Elementary School, listens as fourth grader Raelynn Wilson explains her assignment.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 11, 2023
Braden River Elementary principal supports students and teachers

Recently named School District of Manatee County’s Principal of the Year, Joshua Bennett makes his mark by transforming schools and supporting students and teachers.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarasota Chamber president and CEO Heather Kasten and Superintendent of Schools Terry Connor
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 8, 2023
Sarasota Chamber connects school officials with business community

"You would be amazed at the heroes that are leading, working in our schools," Superintendent Terry Connor says.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Andy Alvarenga and Frank Petrone appreciate the paid on-the-job training they receive and additional instruction they receive as part of their electrical apprenticeship with Manatee Technical College.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 7, 2023
MTC offers apprenticeship programs to advance careers

Apprentices work full time while attending courses at Manatee Technical College to further their careers and fill gaps in various industries.

  • East County
  • Schools
Johnathan BySura, a science teacher, prepares a bottle rocket for launch.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 6, 2023
The Out-of-Door Academy students' lesson reaches new heights

Sixth graders design, build and launch their own water-powered bottle rockets.

  • East County
  • Schools
Annette Codelia, executive director of elementary education; Braden River Elementary School Principal Joshua Bennett; Superintendent Jason Wysong; and School Board of Manatee County member Richard Tatum celebrate Bennett being named the district's Principal of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 2, 2023
Braden River Elementary principal named county's Principal of the Year

Joshua Bennett has served as the principal at Braden River Elementary since 2019.

  • East County
  • Schools
Prine Elementary's Katie Bagley, Barbara A. Harvey Elementary's Joadie Durfee, Lakewood Ranch High's Debra McCarthy and Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary's Jessica Spence are finalists for Educator of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 30, 2023
East County school employees named finalists for excellence awards

In east Bradenton, two teachers were named finalists Manatee County's Educator of the Year and two staff members named for Support Employee of the Year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Superintendent Terry Connor, Bridget Ziegler and Karen Rose
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 29, 2023
Sarasota School Board appoints Karen Rose as chair

The Sarasota County School Board voted Karen Rose to the position of board chair and Tim Enos to the role of vice chair.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Joaquin Garcia Argibay, a senior at The Out-of-Door Academy, raises money through the Sister School Project to support a school in Argentina.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 28, 2023
Student brings sister school in Argentina into ODA's family

Joaquin Garcia Argibay, a senior at The Out-of-Door Academy, raises money to purchase supplies for students in Chaco, Argentina.

  • East County
  • Schools
Construction takes place on the farmland beside McIntosh Middle.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 26, 2023
Renovation of McIntosh Middle School's farmland underway

The $6 million project is designed to reimagine the farmland at the Sarasota County school and enhance its educational mission.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Superintendent Jason Wysong has loved talking to students like R. Dan Nolan Middle School eighth graders Bryce Newman and Hutch Jeanise.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 24, 2023
Manatee schools must react to loss of federal emergency funds

After 100 days in new post, Superintendent Jason Wysong must evaluate positions funded by COVID grants.

  • East County
  • Schools
Students from the Booker High School Law Academy were gifted iPads from philanthropist Deb Kabinoff while on a tour of the Sarasota Police Department.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 22, 2023
Booker High School Law Academy students receive surprise iPads

Philanthropist Deb Kabinoff provided the iPads while the students were on a tour of the Sarasota Police Department.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Braden River Elementary School kindergartners Andrea Savevska, Keira Cramer and Cody Stutzman present what they've learned about fire safety to fifth graders.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 22, 2023
School choice boosts enrollment at East County schools

Some East County schools that have dwindling enrollments due to aging neighborhoods depend on school choice to boost enrollment and offer more programs.

  • East County
  • Schools
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With a sparkle in his eye and a wave of the hand, jolly old St. Nick illuminated the lights on St. Armands Circle's 60-foot Christmas tree at a lighting festival on Dec. 5.
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5
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