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Schools

Brennan Asplen has been on the job for about a year.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 13, 2021
Sarasota school board rates superintendent as 'highly effective'

Asplen gets highest possible rating for board after challenge-filled first year.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 12, 2021
ODA's Camp Banyan participants get a view under the sea in Lakewood Ranch

Campers make coral reefs as one activity during the camp's under the sea week.

  • East County
  • Schools
Selia Rodriguez, a rising eighth grader, and Miriam Castrejon, a rising freshman, demonstrate how their ferris wheel works. Castrejon says building the ferris wheel was more fun than she expected.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 7, 2021
Lakewood Ranch students rise to STEM camp challenges

Summer STEM camp brings new experiences for migrant students at Nolan Middle School.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jim Connor looks forward to developing relationships with students as the new interim head of schools at the Out-of-Door Academy.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 7, 2021
Out-of-Door Academy hires new interim head of school.

New ODA interim head of school uses lessons he's learned from books as inspiration for his educational career.

  • East County
  • Schools
Participants of the 2017 VIP Program put on a show. Photo courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 7, 2021
Florida Studio Theater to offer camp to youth on the autism spectrum

The Puzzle Project will be offered to children ages 7-12 who are on the autism spectrum.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Ron Lambert, the director of bands, expresses his gratitude to students and families during a band picnic to honor seniors in the band programs. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 6, 2021
Lakewood Ranch High bands director Ron Lambert will retire in August.

Lakewood Ranch High's longtime director of bands will retire

  • East County
  • Schools
Mason Amyx and Cayla Fulkerson use the groceries they bought to make their lunches.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 30, 2021
Beyond the Spectrum expands facility in Sarasota

The nonprofit will add 2,500 square feet of space to address its growing waitlist of students. AND Beyond the Spectrum adds space to handle demand..

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 23, 2021
Despite dip, Sarasota lands in top five for Florida Standards Assessments

Third grade students tested four percentage points lower in English Language Arts than in 2019.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ryder Wahlsmith, a rising senior at Lakewood Ranch High School and a Manatee Technical College student, wipes down the plane as he continues to work on it. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 23, 2021
MTC students have plane fun in east Bradenton

MTC automotive technology students on board for new challenge.

  • East County
  • Schools
A lower student enrollment means the district will receive less money from the state, which could cause issues when it comes time to balance the books.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 23, 2021
School district weighs effects of lower enrollment for 2021-22

The district is expecting about 920 fewer students than it projected, which has a direct impact on how much money the district receives.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 16, 2021
Big lessons for little ranchers in Lakewood Ranch

Eleven children participate in Lakewood Ranch High Future Farmers of America's first summer camp.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River Elementary School first grader Jordan McCarte listens intently as her reading buddy, Gia Giangrante, who is a fifth grader, reads "The Invisible Boy." Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 16, 2021
Manatee County schools' millage special election set for November

The School District of Manatee County will use after-school care fees to fund the special election.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jennifer Nzeza has been selected as the new Sarasota Middle School principal and will begin her position July 1.Â
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 9, 2021
Southside Elementary principal moves to Sarasota Middle

Jennifer Nzeza, who has served as principal at Southside Elementary since 2018, will be the new principal of Sarasota Middle School.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Face masks will be optional for the 2021-22 school year. Parents will decide what is best for their child.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 8, 2021
Parents make the call on school masks for next academic year

Sarasota School Board makes clear masks are optional for 2021-22 but backs off from requiring teachers to enforce parents' wishes.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Holly Staley
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 7, 2021
Phillippi Shores names new principal

Holly Staley most recently served as a principal at an elementary school in New York.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
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Latest News

1
St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry has been recommended by Howard Tipton to replace him as town manager as Tipton prepares to retire.
  • June 19, 2026
New town manager recommended for Longboat Key
2
Attendees were impressed by the fireworks across Sarasota Bay.
  • June 19, 2026
Fourth of July 2026 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch
3
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
  • June 18, 2026
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
4
Tony Barrett speaks at a candidate forum in April at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.
  • June 18, 2026
Manatee County Commission candidate charged with domestic battery
5
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
  • June 18, 2026
Driver dies of injuries in blowout-triggered crash in Sarasota

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