Schools | East County | Your Observer

East County | Schools

Madison Bierl
September 12, 2025

Manatee School Board approves $245,000 superintendent contract

Laurie Breslin also has incentives in her contract, a point of contention with two school board members.

East County
Schools

Madison Bierl
September 10, 2025

Braden River High celebrates its 20th anniversary in Bradenton

Original staff members reflect on the past 20 years.

East County
Schools

Madison Bierl
September 10, 2025

ODA football captain raises $5,400 to benefit local storm recovery

Dylan Walker draws up the strategy for a fundraiser at a rivalry game in Lakewood Ranch to donate to Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund.

East County
Schools

Madison Bierl
September 8, 2025

New school provides relief for previously overcrowded BD Gullett Elementary

After losing 400 students, the Lakewood Ranch school has a more manageable enrollment of 1,000.

East County
Schools

Madison Bierl
September 4, 2025

Can't beat the new music teachers at Carlos E. Haile Middle

Orchestra director Nohemi Perez and band director DJ Harpole have rebuilt the program and their students' passion for music.

East County
Schools

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Madison Bierl
July 18, 2025

Letter from your education reporter: There's a lot to look forward to in the 2025-26 school year

Manatee County schools provides a much larger district to cover than she grew up with in Iowa.

East County
Schools

Madison Bierl
July 16, 2025

Lake Manatee K-8 school readies for opening day in Lakewood Ranch

Administrators, teachers and students are all beginning their voyage at the new school together.

East County
Schools

Lesley Dwyer
July 15, 2025

What does it take to use Manatee schools as hurricane shelters?

In the midst of a severe storm, no one is turned away from the Manatee County schools that serve as shelters.

East County
Schools

Madison Bierl
July 15, 2025

ODA hosts Little Medical School-Suncoast marine biology camp

Campers learned about pollution, tracking turtles, the layers of the ocean and more.

East County
Schools

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.