Manatee County Schools

Vacancies remain, but most local districts are beginning this school year ahead, with solid progress in both teaching and transportation staff.

Pinellas and Sarasota counties earned A’s, while Polk was the only district to improve its grade. Factors used to determine grades include state testing in English, math, science and social studies and grad rates.

The state teachers' union president says "constantly" changing tests may be leading to failing scores at the national level. "We've got to look a little broader than just the state assessments," he says.

Jason Wysong negotiated an exit package through his lawyer when he learned, ahead of Tuesday's meeting, that board sentiment had turned against him.

Sarasota, Manatee and Hernando counties will be voting to continue their current property taxes, while Pinellas is looking to double their rate to match them.

The proposed development would provide 132 apartments on nearly five acres of district-owned land for Manatee County school district employees.

The Manatee County school district partners with USF to offer intensive experiences in classrooms for education undergraduates — and it is one of the few programs in Florida to pay interns.

After deputies shut down the first operation last summer, they were left with thousands of dollars worth of computer equipment.

Student enrollment has gradually climbed back up to pre-pandemic levels. But the data shows that more families are choosing to send their kids to charter schools rather than traditional public schools, in line with national trends.

Anna Maria Elementary students are drawn in by Guy Harvey Academy of Arts and Sciences.

As school districts in the area work to fill bus driver vacancies, some are experiencing a greater shortage than usual. Manatee County needs to fill about 20% of its bus driving staff. Like surrounding districts, Manatee officials hope a wage increase will attract more employees.

By state law, books in school libraries must be certified by a media specialist. They must also comply with the Parental Rights in Education Act.