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Schools

The School District of Manatee County owns and utilizes 4 electric buses: 2 that can go 130 miles on a charge and 2 that can go up to 200. Jamie Warrington, director of transportation for the district, says there are pros and cons in terms of the environment and efficiency.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 14, 2025
Manatee needs more testing on electric school buses

Cost and the ability to serve open areas are just some of the areas that need more exploration before the School District of Manatee County purchases additional electric buses.

  • East County
  • Schools
Construction takes place on Wellen Park High School on May 7.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 14, 2025
Construction projects are on the move in Sarasota's schools

As the school year approaches, the Sarasota school district progresses on several high-profile construction projects.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Lake Manatee K-8 is the biggest and most well known construction project. The elementary part of the school will open in August, with the middle school set to open the following school year.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 13, 2025
3 major construction projects are almost finished for Manatee schools

Along with the new Lake Manatee K-8, the other two projects will increase capacity for students and help with overcrowding.

  • East County
  • Schools
With the recent release of a live-action version of "Lilo & Stitch," Disney-themed backpacks fill store shelves. But so do bags with characters like Kuromi and My Melody from the company behind Hello Kitty.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 13, 2025
Accessories dominate 2025 back-to-school fashion

From the smash phenomenon of troll-like dolls strapped onto belts and bags to character-themed backpacks, accessories are how students are sharing their personal fashion sense this year.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 12, 2025
Sarasota continues experiment with electric school buses

As the district tests electric buses under a grant-funded initiative, leaders track factors like costs per mile and long-term maintenance needs.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Tim and Lauren Macri, co-owners of Beef 'O' Brady's Braden River, want the community's support to achieve their goal of providing gifts to Tara Elementary School teachers to help ease the burden of digging into their own pockets to provide for their students.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 12, 2025
Beef 'O' Brady's hosts second supply drive for Tara Elementary teachers

Community members can participate until July 31 to help ease the burden of teachers spending their own money for supplies.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Manatee County Tax Collector's Office east branch at 10705 Technology Terrace, Bradenton.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 9, 2025
Tax collector charges Manatee County schools $1.5M

The Manatee County tax collector decides to take a $1.5 million commission from the school district's referendum funds.

  • East County
  • Schools
Peter Hotaling, 13, represented R. Dan Nolan Middle School at the HOSA International Leadership Conference June 18-22 in Nashville, Tennessee.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 4, 2025
Nolan Middle student places third at international HOSA event

Peter Hotaling, 13, entered his speech in the Health Career Preparation category against students from around the world.

  • East County
  • Schools
Manatee Technical College graduates Carmen Lesser, Kelsey Seeley and Maria Galante complete the applied cybersecurity program which takes seven months.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 27, 2025
MTC graduates reflect on their lessons at graduation

Graduates Hailey Lopez-Lanuza and Sophia Swim said they found their passions at MTC.

  • East County
  • Schools
Teacher Heather Gomez, River Marshall, 8, her sister Millie Krystyniak, 3, and student Bryan Marchan, 11, meet Scout the Eagle.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 27, 2025
Eagle Fest spreads wings across the community at Alta Vista Elementary

The school closed out its summer school with Eagle Fest, held for its families and featuring inflatables, games, activities and community resources.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The School District of Manatee County holds meetings for the public to flip through physical maps of the proposed 2026-2027 Residential Attendance Zones.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 25, 2025
Manatee County School District seeks public feedback on rezoning

School officials and board members ask the public to make comments on the district's website.

  • East County
  • Schools
Harper Greene, an 8-year-old Myakka City resident, and Drew Randenburg, a 10-year-old Lakewood Ranch resident, were two of the "crazy cooks" at the camp.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 23, 2025
'Crazy cooks' broaden their palettes at The Out-of-Door Academy

In a camp hosted by Pure Imagination Studio and Sarasota Parks and Recreation, 22 campers learned to prepare 10 different meals and desserts.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Manatee County school board held a special meeting on Tuesday to further discuss the details of the timeline and search for a new superintendent. Richard Tatem said good leaders tend to work in different industries, not just education, and wants the candidate pool to be as big as possible.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 20, 2025
Superintendent applications open for Manatee County School District

In a special meeting, the school board further discussed its expectations and approved a new timeline.

  • East County
  • Schools
Seventh grader Bronx Hanratty and digital art teacher Katelyn Reyes went to the Dalí Museum Student Surrealist Art Exhibit where Hanratty received the Award of Excellence.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 17, 2025
Mona Jain Middle art student receives Dalí exhibit's Award of Excellence

Bronx Hanratty, a 13-year-old artist, created a piece in Photoshop to project his view on mental health.

  • East County
  • Schools
Graham Rueping, Nico Villanueva and Lane Tamberino were among the campers who learned all about plant science, animal science, environmental science and leadership at the Junior Ranchers camp.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 11, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Junior Ranchers learn about agriculture through camp

Counselors help the kids learn hands-on lessons about cows, snakes and insects.

  • East County
  • Schools
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