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Schools

Ricardo Vasquez and Monica Rodriguez wish their daughter Kiali Vasquez good luck on her first day with a kiss. Kiali is determined to get straight A's.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 11, 2025
Lake Manatee K-8 opens to students for the first time in Lakewood Ranch

On the first day of school, Principal Todd Richardson was eager to finally have students on campus.

  • East County
  • Schools
Martina Kandrachoff sees off her older sister, Guillermina, for her first day of school at Alta Vista Elementary School on Aug. 11.
    By
  • Dana Kampa, Ian Swaby
  • August 11, 2025
Recess is over as school begins in Sarasota

Southside Elementary and Alta Vista Elementary kids make their return for the 2025-26 school year.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch's Peter and Athena Hotaling enjoy using their phones to connect with friends and family, play games, use social media and more. With the new phone restrictions, they will have to save those things for after school hours.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 11, 2025
New phone policy will be 'learning curve' for Manatee students

Per House Bill 1105, elementary and middle school students will be required to turn off and stow away electronic devices during school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch residents Shaun Ulstad and Andrew Cordani are eager to start their senior year at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, which is one step closer to a potential future at MIT.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 8, 2025
One final year for Lakewood Ranch Prep seniors to chase their dreams

Shaun Ulstad and Andrew Cordani hope their work gains them acceptance into MIT.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarasota School Board approves tentative budget and millage
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 7, 2025
Sarasota School Board approves tentative budget and millage

The school board approved a tentative budget of $1.35 billion and a proposed millage rate of 6.095 mils.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Fourth grade English language arts teacher Christine Harrington and fourth grade math and science teacher Riley Hamilton plan the display they will create on their bulletin board.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 6, 2025
Southside Elementary teachers prepare for the start of school

Creating bulletin board displays, providing bright spaces and assembling "Star Wars" memorabilia are a few of the ways teachers are preparing their classrooms.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The second option for High School AAA, with a $107,000,000 budget, would provide 1,000 student stations and 139,000 square feet of space. Later additions might include an auditorium, gymnasium and other athletic fields.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 5, 2025
School board to decide fate of new high school in Lakewood Ranch

Two options being studied for a high school at Rangeland Parkway and Post Boulevard, along with a possible expansion at Braden River High.

  • East County
  • Schools
The School Board of Sarasota County at a July 2025 meeting.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 31, 2025
Sarasota School Board votes to change discrimination policy language

The changes to the student code of conduct remove specifically enumerated protections for categories that include race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Sara Geary, the head of schools at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, and Patty Scerbo, a mother to two students who attend the school, look forward to potential improvements that may be funded by their share of the half penny tax.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 30, 2025
Charter schools eager to make use of sales tax dollars

Starting in the 2025-26 school year, Manatee County charters will receive 50% of their proportionate share of anticipated revenue from the half-penny sales tax.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 28, 2025
Sarasota Superintendent: New school year promises exciting new beginnings

Terry Connor says the county will 'continue to strive to be the premier education provider that empowers every student to thrive in an ever-changing world.'

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Braden River High School students Cameron Brand, Jacob Zinkhan, Kylie Mohamed, Sophi Jo Branscomb and Jacqueline Lopez traveled around Ireland learning about agriculture and Irish culture along the way.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 27, 2025
Braden River FFA students study agriculture in Ireland

Their visits include a dairy farm and an "Irish racehorse experience."

  • East County
  • Schools
Antonella Imperiale, Sebastian Chasey, Naomi Rodriguez and Sarah Arco attended first grade at Braden River Elementary School which was given an A grade for the 2024-2025 school year.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 23, 2025
12 of 17 east Manatee County schools earn overall A grades

The School District of Manatee County receives an overall B rating.

  • East County
  • Schools
Nicole Williams is the new principal for Bashaw Elementary School. She is entering her 30th year in education in Manatee County, eager to make and grow new connections in the school.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 21, 2025
New principal at Bashaw Elementary has high expectations for staff and students

Nicole Williams will begin her 30th year in education in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Schools
Interim superintendent Kevin Chapman's contract was finalized in a special board meeting May 29. He will be interim until January 5, 2026 or whenever the school board hires someone in his place.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 18, 2025
Exciting school year ahead for Manatee schools

Interim Superintendent Kevin Chapman says new schools, student achievement strides spark enthusiasm in the new school year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Richard Tatem
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 18, 2025
Hiring superintendent tops District 5 school board member's goals

Richard Tatem says increasing vocational opportunities, increasing on-time bus routes important goals in 2025-26.

  • 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
The River Club in Lakewood Ranch 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
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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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