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Schools

Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, will retire June 30. The School Board of Manatee County is in the beginning stages of the search for a new superintendent.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 12, 2023
Manatee School Board clashes on preference for new superintendent

Some board members say they would prefer a Florida resident while others say they are open to all candidates.

  • East County
  • Schools
Victoria Short, right, has been a teacher at William H. Bashaw Elementary School for 33 years. No matter the changes in education, she still loves teaching her students and building relationships with them.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 10, 2023
Veteran teachers talk about changes in education over three decades

From technology expectations to school culture, teachers have had to adjust the way they teach.

  • East County
  • Schools
Students like seventh graders Jayden Lavalle and Kiley Nowaczyk have fun creating items and determining what to sell in the vending machine.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 9, 2023
New school supplies vending machine meets Haile Middle students' needs

The students stock some items in the machine and learn basic business lessons about cost of production and return.

  • East County
  • Schools
Rachel Sellers is named the School District of Manatee County's deputy superintendent of business services.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 7, 2023
Manatee School District introduces new deputy superintendent of business services

Rachel Sellers will start her new post Jan. 9 after previously working for the Florida auditor general.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch High School's Jasmine Burden, Bryce Brielmann and Amme Cook lead the Marching Mustangs in the parade. The marching band performed in the Sugar Bowl parade and half time show.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 3, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High marching band makes sweet memories at Sugar Bowl

From a riverboat ride to walking Jackson Square to performing at the Sugar Bowl, the Marching Mustangs won't forget their New Orleans trip.

  • East County
  • Schools
Victoria Staszak and Ashlyn Meyers are grateful to Cameron Dakin Dairy for allowing them to show Josie at the Manatee County Fair.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 3, 2023
Local farms support Manatee County Fair participants from FFA, 4-H

Cameron Dakin Dairy and Bunyak Club Calves lead the way providing animals to show at the annual fair in Palmetto.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cars are driving south on Rye Road nonstop in the morning by Gene Witt Elementary School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 21, 2022
Gene Witt Elementary parents push for a signal light

With homes being built across the street, Gene Witt administrators and parents say a traffic signal is needed in front of the school.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 20, 2022
East Bradenton students share their Christmas wishes in letters to Santa

From pets to hoverboards, scooters and more, Braden River, Tara and McNeal elementary first graders and kindergartners share what they want Santa to deliver.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarasota Police Department receives thank you card from Riverview High School.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • December 18, 2022
Riverview students thank first responders

Riverview High School wrote handmade thank-you letters for the law enforcement agencies that responded to the Oct. 11 swatting.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Two calls alleging a threat involving Braden River High School were reported Wednesday.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 15, 2022
Braden River High, Manatee Sheriff's Office investigate threat

Two calls alleging a threat involving Braden River High were reported Wednesday.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lourdes Capote-Dishaw, a Braden River High School junior, will continue to work with Bobbert during winter break to prepare for the Manatee County Fair.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 15, 2022
Barn doors stay open during FFA students' winter break

Future Farmers of America students return to campus during winter break to care for their animals and prepare for the Manatee County Fair.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch High School's Audrey Weeks, Karen Tinoco, Skylar Cox and Samantha Rees compete in the rope bridge at the Raiders state championship. The team placed third.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 14, 2022
Lakewood Ranch, Braden River high schools win Raiders state championships

With more freshmen on the teams, Lakewood Ranch and Braden River high school JROTC Raiders members had to act as participants and coaches.

  • East County
  • Schools
Brennan Asplen came to Sarasota County Schools in 2020.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 14, 2022
School board's final vote ends Asplen's Sarasota tenure

Board member Tom Edwards was again the sole vote in support of the superintendent. Renouf will serve in the interim role until at least Jan. 17.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Myakka City Elementary teacher named Manatee County's Principal of the Year
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 13, 2022
Myakka City Elementary teacher named Manatee County's Principal of the Year

Principal Carol Ricks was honored for her dedication to students, teachers, staff and the Myakka City community.

  • East County
  • Schools
Booker High School students surround teacher Courtney Smith.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 12, 2022
Sarasota surprises three Teacher of the Year finalists

Booker High's Courtney Smith joins two Venice-area educators still in the running for the countywide honor.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
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Nicholas Savarese, a teacher who has a background in chemical engineering, judges junior Lillian Pevzner-Downer's project on the comparison of conventionally grown crops with chemicals and pesticides versus organically grown crops at the Lakewood Ranch High School Science Fair.
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