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Schools

Caleb H. and Wyatt J. practice showmanship.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 3, 2025
Sarasota County hosts poultry workshop at The Farm

The McIntosh Middle School facility hosted a workshop to teach kids poultry husbandry and prepare them for the Sarasota County Fair in March.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Laurie Breslin has been named the new superintendent for the School District of Manatee County in a unanimous vote on Aug. 26.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 1, 2025
Superintendent shares five goals for Manatee County School District

Laurie Breslin graduated from Manatee High School in 1995, and 30 years later, she will run the district.

  • East County
  • Schools
Third grader Alexander Muenchow chose to draw an axolotl. He says he enjoys using special tools on the iPad that may not be in the classroom such as a glitter tool and stickers.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 31, 2025
Gene Witt Elementary digital art lab is in full swing with community support

Funds from Neal Communities, The Patterson Foundation and fundraisers paved the way for the elementary school to start a digital lab.

  • East County
  • Schools
Laurie Breslin has been named the new superintendent for the School District of Manatee County in a unanimous vote on Aug. 26.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 27, 2025
Laurie Breslin named as the new Manatee County superintendent

After a two-month superintendent search, the Manatee County School Board decided to hire from within.

  • East County
  • Schools
Gov. Ron DeSantis appoints Karen Rose to Sarasota School Board
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 25, 2025
Gov. Ron DeSantis appoints Karen Rose to Sarasota School Board

Rose will fill the vacancy left by Tim Enos as he leaves to become chief of police for the school district.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The two finalists for the superintendent position are Misty Mathis, the executive director of curriculum and instruction for the Nassau County School District, and Laurie Breslin, the executive director of student support and family engagement for the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 20, 2025
Superintendent finalists share their goals for Manatee County School District

Laurie Breslin and Misty Mathis spent Aug. 18 being interviewed by the school board and meeting with community members.

  • East County
  • Schools
The School District of Manatee County proceeds with the full high school option with two academic buildings instead of one, which provides 2,000 student stations.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 18, 2025
New high school will be built in Lakewood Ranch

High School AAA is estimated to cost $200 million with the goal of opening in August 2027.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarasota School Board Chair Tim Enos to resign
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 13, 2025
Sarasota School Board Chair Tim Enos to resign

The Sarasota County School District said District 5 representative Tim Enos had announced his resignation Aug. 13.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Laurie Breslin of the School District of Manatee County and Misty Mathis of Nassau County School District have been selected as finalists in the superintendent search.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 12, 2025
Manatee School Board selects two finalists for superintendent position

Laurie Breslin and Misty Mathis will meet the public Aug. 18 at Manatee Technical College.

  • East County
  • 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
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A lane closure will affect traffic on the John Ringling Causeway during an FDOT maintenance project.
  • May 14, 2026
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2
Holiday House SRQ's Megan Micale, executive director, and Sepi Ackerman, co-founder and executive president, say a grant would allow for 350 Title I students to receive school uniforms, shoes and a holiday experience.
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Sisterhood for Good hosts annual Grant Expo in Lakewood Ranch
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Instructor Suzy Brenner leads her "Stretch and Strengthen" class for the first official activity following The Paradise Center reopening on Sept. 29 at Longboat Island Chapel.
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The Paradise Center expands digital classes

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