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Schools

Sarasota school bus driver charged with sexual misconduct
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 15, 2025
Sarasota school bus driver charged with sexual misconduct

Authorities in Manatee County were alerted by Sarasota County Schools' in-house police department in August.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Makenzie Legg, Zachary McClellan and Isabella Rubal are teaching at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary, which is the very elementary school they attended as children.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 15, 2025
Three former McNeal Elementary students return as educators

Zachary McClellan, Bella Rubal and Makenzie Legg once walked the halls of McNeal as students, but now they are taking inspiration from previous teachers to make a difference for students of their own.

  • East County
  • Schools
Brookside Middle School is one of three campuses upon which space has been requested by a South Florida charter school company under the provisions of Florida's Schools of Hope program.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 9, 2025
Charter school claims space in Manatee, Sarasota county schools

Mater Academy names under-capacity Booker Elementary, Brookside Middle and Oak Park in a request to co-locate. Space in Bradenton and Palmetto also sought, Manatee district tells parents.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Mote's Brad Tanner, the manager of school programs, is ready to coordinate visits from students to the aquarium's teaching labs.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 9, 2025
Manatee educators plan to capitalize on new Mote aquarium

Educators say they will arrange field trips and virtual tours and will take advantage of Mote's outreach teams.

  • East County
  • Schools
Students from The Out-of-Door Academy volunteer at Mixon Fruit Farms Oct. 3.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 8, 2025
Mixon Farms benefits from ODA students' cleanup effort

Out-of-Door Academy seniors volunteered with the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance program Alliance Gives Back.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch High School seniors Zachariah Kersey, Kylie Scott and Chloe Drapak were the winners of the Rotary Club of Bradenton's essay contest on what the Constitution means to them.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 6, 2025
Three Lakewood Ranch High seniors earn Bradenton Rotary essay awards

Kylie Scott, Zachariah Kersey and Chloe Drapak wrote about what the Constitution means to them.

  • East County
  • Schools
Senior Isabelle Harrell begins work on another mural at Lakewood Ranch High School.
  • By Chloe Drapak
  • October 1, 2025
School spirit for this Lakewood Ranch High senior means painting murals

Isabelle Harrell masters the Mustang mascot as she puts her unique stamp on the campus.

  • East County
  • Schools
B. D. Gullett Elementary's Erin Devriendt, Bennett Carney, Michael Serrano and Jackie Stark are kicking off their second year together in a co-teach classroom with two full time teachers.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 30, 2025
Co-teach program at Gullett Elementary allows for extra academic support

In each grade level for first to fifth, there is a classroom with two full-time instructors teaching approximately 30 students.

  • East County
  • Schools
Leo Biter enters the pep rally.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 28, 2025
Southside Elementary hosts Go Gold Day rally

The initiative, which involves students helping to raise awareness and support for children facing pediatric cancer, has grown in size since it began in 2017.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Chief Tim Enos
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 24, 2025
Tim Enos returns as schools police chief

Enos is back in the role of chief of police of Sarasota County Schools following his Aug. 24 resignation from the school board.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Parents, teachers and community members gather in the cafeteria Sept. 18 to voice concerns in a school district-led meeting.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 23, 2025
Community suggests alternatives to Wilkinson Elementary closure

During a Sept. 18 meeting with parents, staff and community members, the Sarasota school district collected alternative ideas to the possible closure of the school.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch's Mary Glass is retiring after an 18 year presidency with the Manatee Education Foundation.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 23, 2025
Education Foundation chief steps aside after 18 years of making a difference

Over the course of Mary Glass' presidency at the Manatee Education Foundation, $12 million was given to the School District of Manatee County to fund programs and events.

  • East County
  • Schools
Farm Manager Kate Traugott speaks while holding a rooster named Napoleon.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 17, 2025
The Farm at McIntosh Middle School fully opens

The 30,762-square-foot facility provides Sarasota students with a dedicated space for agricultural and horticultural projects.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The district makes sure students are served fruit and vegetables along with protein.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 17, 2025
Manatee schools try to stay 'on trend' when it comes to student meals

Students are served popular items for breakfast and lunch but with slightly different — and healthier — ingredients.

  • East County
  • Schools
Samantha Biggs, an assistant principal at Lakewood Ranch High School, received the 2025 Yale Educator Award after being nominated by former student Addison Shea, who now attends Yale University.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 16, 2025
LRHS instructor nominated for Yale award by former student

Samantha Biggs, now the assistant principal at Lakewood Ranch High School, received the 2025 Yale Educator Award.

  • East County
  • Schools
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  • December 17, 2025
Animal interactions and private experiences at Sarasota Jungle Gardens
2
Wild pigs look for food near Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
  • December 17, 2025
Manatee County's River Club has a pig problem
3
LaRon Foye, a senior safety/wide receiver, points to his right ring finger following his game-sealing interception against Jacksonville Bolles.
  • December 17, 2025
Cardinal Mooney football has undergone all-time turnaround
4
Lynnette Beecher and Gunilla Imshaug, members of the Lakewood Ranch Digital Photography Club, check out a photo of a baby alligator that was taken moments before.
  • December 17, 2025
Lakewood Ranch photography club preserves moments in time
5
Justin Gomlak helps bring big city glamour to the Sarasota stage in "A Very Broadway Christmas," which plays Monday, Dec. 22, at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
  • December 17, 2025
The Van Wezel wants you to have 'A Very Broadway Christmas'

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