East County Back to School 2026

Back to School 2026

EAST COUNTY

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BACK TO SCHOOL | JULY 2026

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YourObserver.com

JULY 2026 | BACK TO SCHOOL

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We Take Your Child’s Vision Seriously

Madison Bierl

Lake Manatee first graders Alexis Cotton and Briella Quilambaqui learn in the Marine Ecology Lab at Mote Sea on May 11.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Signs of Vision Problems in Children:

Mote delivers

· Drifting of an eye · Crossing of an eye •Drifting of an eye · Squinting blinking •Drifting ofor an eye •Crossing of an eye · Sitting close toeye the television •Crossing of an •Squinting or blinking · Tilting or turning of the head •Squinting or blinking

Message from 8 Manatee’s superintendent 10

Message from your education reporter

12

Rangeland High principal chosen

14

School choices

•Sitting close to the television •Sitting close to the of television •Tilting or turning the head •Tilting or turning of the head

Student testing

24

Construction ramps up in district

26

Pro coaches pass down knowledge

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Key Manatee dates

30 Message from Sarasota’s superintendent

•Closing or covering an eye •Closing or covering an eye •Drop in school performance •Drop in school performance

Scott Silverman, M.D.,

Pediatric Ophthalmologist

Dr. Silverman and his Dr. Silverman and his friendly staff work hard Dr. Silverman and everyone at friendly staff work to make routine hard eye Coastal Eye Institute, make routine to exams make seem routine likeeye fun, eye exams seem like fun, with a exams fun, with aseem caringlike approach caring approach that makes with a that caring approach makes kids that comfortable. makes kids children comfortable. comfortable.

Behind the scenes 17 and behind the wheel 20

· Droopy eyelid · Excessive tearing •Droopy eyelid · •Droopy Headaches while reading eyelid •Excessive tearing · •Excessive Closing or covering an eye tearing •Headaches while reading · •Headaches Drop in school performance while reading

Ian Swaby

Rising fifth grader Gabriela Cardozo reads a book during Dreamers Academy’s summer camp. The program helps prevent the “summer slide” that can affect students in areas that include testing.

ON THE COVER: Chloe Erickson, a second grader at Myakka City Elementary, is one of the many student artists whose talent add color to the campuses.

We are following CDC guidelines for your safety.

Schedule an appointment today!

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BACK TO SCHOOL | JULY 2026

Discover a wave of learning

LEARNING LABS MARINE ECOLOGY ■ In the Marine Ecology STEM Teaching Lab, students explore habitats that showcase mangrove shorelines, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs. These living systems highlight the ecosystem connections that support ocean health.

Mote SEA has hosted over 290 field trips working with 16,500 students since opening in October.

MADISON BIERL STAFF WRITER

S

haron Itts, a science teacher at Braden River High School, began her career not as an educator but as a scientist.

She teaches marine biology and does as many hands-on activities with her students as she can in her classroom.

“We’re here in Florida, so this passion is real easy to harness, and my hope is for the students to feel some of that enthusiasm,” Itts said. “I hope they will learn how to embrace the environmental resources while still having fun doing the activities that they’ve grown up doing. I want them to be more mindful of little nuances or differences that they can (experience). For example, go fishing, but only keep what you’re going to eat.”

Itts now can take her students on field trips to the Mote Science Education Aquarium, which opened in October adjacent to Nathan Benderson Park. Since Mote SEA opened

Lakeview Elementary first grader Ida Torko said she was excited to look through a microscope, but she was even more excited to see the penguins and jellyfish.

its doors, students in Manatee and Sarasota counties have used the new resource.

Brad Tanner, manager of school programs at Mote SEA, said in the first 10 months the aquarium has hosted approximately 300 field trips and worked with more than 16,500 students. He said each day during the school year, between one and five schools have taken advantage of the facility, working in the labs and exploring the aquarium.

“I love to see a little spark in their eyes when they learn something new,” Tanner said.

“I’ve seen the students will actually share with their parents something they learned.

That’s always a fun moment.”

Patti Folino, the principal at Tuttle Elementary School, said 13 of her school’s students attended Mote SEA during the Sarasota County STEM Fair Feb. 13. She said she enjoyed hearing the stories from students and their families about seeing the sharks and stingrays.

She called the aquarium the “main hub of everything.”

Although there hasn’t been an official field trip to Mote SEA for Tuttle students just yet, Folino is excited for the future.

As a Title 1 school, Folino said she wants her students to have the experience without having to pay for it. Mote SEA has provided 8,280 passes to Sarasota County students and 15,300 to Manatee County students in Title 1 schools that are good for up to six guests per student.

“It’s so crazy,” Folino said.

“The ocean is our backyard, but (the students) don’t ever get to go there and they don’t always get to experience what lives in our gulf.”

Folino said learning about biology and the life cycle is one thing, but being able to see that cycle through a sea-life lens is impactful and makes it that

Photos by Madison Bierl

Lakeview Elementary first graders Ava Gardner, Wesley Rigdon, Edward Bullard and Luiza Martins get up close and personal with the penguins May 7 at Mote SEA.

much more real to the students.

Tiffany Spradling, director of secondary curriculum for the School District of Manatee County, said 6,211 students and teachers from Manatee County have participated in teaching lab lessons since October 2025.

The three learning labs focus on marine ecology, biomedical and immunology, and ocean technology. Amber Platowski, the secondary science coordinator for the School District of Manatee County, said ecology – the scientific study of how living organisms interact with one another and with their physical environment – repeats from kindergarten all the way through the senior year.

“They’re learning about food chains, food webs and human impact on the environment,” Platowski said. “That’s a relevant one, especially because we’re here in Manatee County.

They’re identifying not only the problems, but they’re letting kids work through solutions. That is the forwardthinking, problem-solving skill set that we want to develop in our learners.”

Once time and date is confirmed for a field trip, each teacher is given the opportunity to let Tanner and the Mote staff know if there is a focal point so the students can directly relate to their current lessons in class.

“Although we provide time for that in our curriculum,

being able to reinforce that in an engaging setting helps solidify that learning,” Platowski said.

First grade students at Lake Manatee K-8 were learning about land turtles and sea turtles prior to their May 11 field trip. Rebecca Garcia, a first grade teacher at Lake Manatee, said she appreciated that Mote offered different classes based on the level of the students.

Garcia said her students were thrilled by the hands-on touch tanks. She said the students couldn’t get over the cold temperature of the water and how smooth some animals and coral felt.

Jaime Pirillo, the mother of Lake Manatee student Jaxon Pirillo, attended the field trip as a chaperone. She said it was a beautifully designed aquarium that makes for a great family day. For Jaxon, his favorite part was seeing the otters swim, which reminded him of his school as the otter is the mascot.

“My hope is that children continue to want to learn about sea life and the importance of our ecosystem,” Garcia said.

Sylwia Konopko, a first grade teacher at Lakeview Elementary in Sarasota County, said the first grade field trip to Mote further expanded on topics the students were learning — SEE MOTE, PAGE 6

BIOMEDICAL AND IMMUNOLOGY ■ The Biomedical and Immunology STEM Teaching Lab introduces students to the science of marine life health and the surprising ways it connects to human medicine. In this space, they explore how scientists study the immune systems of sharks, skates, and rays; investigate the health of threatened species; and discover how microscopic marine life can produce natural products with medical potential.

OCEAN TECHNOLOGY ■ In the Ocean Technology STEM Teaching Lab, students discover the tools scientists use to explore and understand marine environments.

They learn about autonomous and remotely operated systems that move through the water, across the surface, and along the seafloor; electronic tags that track fish after release; artificial intelligence that improves the efficiency and accuracy of research; and citizen science apps that allow the public to contribute to valuable data. This space shows how technology and science work together to unlock the secrets of the sea.

To learn more, visit Mote.org/Education/

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JULY 2026 | BACK TO SCHOOL

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BACK TO SCHOOL | JULY 2026

MOTE, FROM PAGE 4

marine ecosystems, animal adaptations, conservation and environmental stewardship.

She is passionate about connecting classroom learning with real-world experiences, which is why she finds field trips such as the one she attended on May 7 so valuable.

“Experiences like this help students develop a deeper understanding of the topics they study while encouraging them to ask questions and think critically,” Konopko said.

“I hope they leave with a greater appreciation for marine life and the importance of protecting our environment.”

Jennifer Shelly, also a first grade teacher at Lakeview Elementary, said seeing the eyes of her students light up as they learned was rewarding. She said the students asked thoughtful questions and were genuinely curious about the animals and their habitats.

She enjoyed hearing students talk about wanting to protect

Madison Bierl

Lakeview Elementary first graders Emory Snyder, Lenny Collazo-Leon and Cullan Peacock see whether items float or sink in the Ocean Technology Lab at Mote Sea May 7.

the ocean and marine animals.

For her, it shined a light on how powerful real world experiences can be.

“As a child, I would have been fascinated by the opportunity to see marine life up close, interact with exhibits, and learn directly from experts,” Shelly said. “I believe experi-

ences like Mote SEA help students develop curiosity, ask questions and see themselves as part of the learning process.”

Fayth Jenkins, the head of school at Innovation Academy SRQ, said students at Innovation have yet to attend the new Mote SEA for a field trip. However, her own children, Elijah,

14, and Kingston, 8, attended as students of the Out-ofDoor Academy. They came back excited about the handson exhibits, touch tanks and the opportunity to learn about marine life up close.

She hopes the students at Innovation will experience the same in the future.

“I want them to develop curiosity, make real world connections, and see science come to life beyond the classroom,” Jenkins said. “My hope is that students leave Mote with a greater appreciation for our oceans, a better understanding of conservation, and a sense of wonder that inspires them to keep learning long after their visit.”

Kaylynn Magee, a 2026 graduate of Braden River High School, attended Mote SEA as part of her marine science class with Itts. She especially enjoyed seeing the turtles, jellyfish and octopus up close.

“One thing I like about the aquarium is you’re not looking in a book, you’re not reading,” Magee said. “You’re physically

seeing the animal swim around, maybe harmed, or probably just living in the aquarium, compared to it being endangered out in the open ocean or lakes.”

Although she loved her experience, Magee said the aquarium experience is probably better for younger kids, as they would want to learn more or volunteer in the future. She felt as though teenagers might not be quite as involved or interested, but instead might want to post.

She hopes that as elementary students grow, they will be able to connect with visits to the aquarium. She said the volunteers and staff at Mote SEA are passionate and outgoing when presenting information.

Spradling said Willis Elementary School has become Mote’s first partner school.

This means Willis will integrate Mote research and citizen science into its classrooms, specifically its science classes.

Platowski said citizen science is when everyday people are able to contribute to scientific research.

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JULY 2026 | BACK TO SCHOOL

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BACK TO SCHOOL | JULY 2026

A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT LAURIE BRESLIN

A

s we are preparing to welcome students back for a new school year, I am proud to share encouraging news about the School District of Manatee County and to recognize the collective effort that makes this progress possible.

Across our district, school teams have been hard at work all summer preparing classrooms, refining

instruction, and ensuring everything is ready for a strong start. We are excited to welcome students and families back on the first day of school and look forward to the opportunities this new year will bring.

Over the summer, the Florida Department of Education announced that 10 of our schools improved by at least one letter grade, and we now have the highest number of A-rated schools since 2008.

Even more encouraging, we are seeing measurable gains across all grade levels, from pre-kindergarten through high school, in literacy, math, science and social studies.

We have also reached the highest graduation rate in the history of our school district.

These milestones reflect a shared commitment among our teachers, staff, families and community partners to ensure every student succeeds.

Last year, we used the term Manatee Momentum to describe the positive progress taking place across our school district. As we look ahead, we are building on that energy with a clear focus: Manatee Momentum: Accelerating the Current.

This is more than a phrase; it reflects a shared vision for the future of public education in Manatee County. In the coming weeks, we will present our new strategic plan to the school board.

This plan provides a clear roadmap focused on student achievement, innovative learning opportunities and strong partnerships with families and the community.

Most importantly, it ensures we are building on our momentum with purpose and accountability.

We continue to invest in innovative programming that prepares students for the future. Thanks to the support

of our state representatives, we are on track to receive $750,000 to establish another SOAR Lab at Tillman Elementary School, expanding hands-on STEM learning opportunities that foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

We are also excited about the continued construction of Rangeland High School.

As we prepare to open in the 2027–2028 school year, we look forward to engaging the community throughout the process. Together, we will help shape a school that reflects the values and aspirations of the families it will serve.

Lakewood Ranch High School Principal Mike Mullen has been working tirelessly over the summer to prepare for his first year leading the school. As a former educator, coach, and administrator on the same campus, he brings a deep understanding of the Lakewood Ranch community.

Additionally, he is the proud parent of two Lakewood Ranch High School graduates. We are confident his leadership will build on the school’s tradition of excellence while continuing to move it forward.

Together, all these efforts reflect a district that is not only making progress but accelerating it.

We are proud of how far we have come and even more excited about where we are headed. The momentum is real, and it belongs to all of us; our educators, families, businesses, and community members who support our schools every day.

Thank you for your continued support for our students and our schools.

Together, we will keep accelerating.

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BACK TO SCHOOL | JULY 2026

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s we inch closer to the hallways filling up with students, I’m excited to welcome you to our Back to School edition for the 2026-27 school year.

Covering education in Lakewood Ranch and across Manatee County means more than reporting board votes — it’s about telling the stories of the administrators, teachers, staff members and students who bring our schools to life.

It’s about students discovering their voices, teachers working tirelessly to educate our youth and families showing up day-after-day to provide support. It’s also about the transportation workers, the student support specialists and the food service workers.

I have spent countless hours in the board room, classrooms, parks and living rooms alike with an open ear and open heart to hear what matters to students, teachers, parents and community members in East County.

I have covered a wide range of topics, from hobbies and passions to politics and dress code in schools. Each story brings something new to the table, both in terms of my own knowledge and how to present it to the community. Each interview, meeting and writing session teaches me more.

It seems I blinked and suddenly I am attending events for the second time, including graduations, art shows, musicals and more. Everywhere I turn, I recognize someone whom I have photographed or interviewed before. I’m always greeted with a smile, and it’s a great feeling.

With the rezoning process, many students are starting at schools they might not have attended before. In the same regard, school choice allows for students to pick the school that is best for them, whether that be for academics, sports, the arts, or something else.

There is a lot to anticipate in East County’s world of education. Lake Manatee K-8 is

opening to sixth grade to add to the K-5 students.

East County’s newest high school, Rangeland High School, is in full construction mode and will be led by Dustin Dahlquist, the former Lakewood Ranch High principal, as the founding principal. By this time next year, students will be preparing to become the first students to walk the hallways there.

It is a transformative year in terms of covering the school board as well. I have been interviewing candidates in the various districts. It’s an honor to learn about each one while listening to their visions for the future.

My challenge for you is to embrace the school year with open arms, whether or not you have children in the system.

Show up and ask questions because our students are our community’s future. Cheer at a game or a musical performance. Thank the teachers and let them know they are making a difference. If you’ve got a concern, make it known.

If you’ve got an idea, share it with patience.

The beauty of my job is that every day is different, but at the same time the goal is the same — to share stories that matter. I speak and interact with people of all ages and backgrounds, from babies playing at the park to retirees keeping busy embracing their hobbies.

If you come across someone or something that would make for a compelling story, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at MBierl@YourObserver. com. I am always at events and eager to hear of any and all happenings in the area.

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or Dustin Dahlquist, being a leader is about providing support, one-on-one if needed, whether it involves students or staff.

“You have to take people aside and you have to empathize with what it is they are going through,” Dahlquist said. “You also have to encourage them to face some of those difficulties head-on and to not stop. You’re going to succeed and you have abilities far beyond what you see at this point.”

After 30 years of shaping students and programs across Manatee County schools, Dahlquist decided to leave his role as principal of Lakewood Ranch High School to become the founding principal of the new Rangeland High School.

Growing up in Lakewood, New York, he said teachers were highly respected and that inspired him to pursue that career path.

“You are not going to be rich being a teacher,” Dahlquist said.

You’re going to be able to enrich your own life, but also the lives of your students. That’s ultimately what motivated me to stay within education.”

Dahlquist said his career hasn’t always been easy. But he said his failures, and the support from his fellow educators, kept him going.

“We didn’t win every single game, and we didn’t win championships every year,” Dahlquist said. “Within the process, you make adjustments and you have to have a certain level of confidence in your own abilities. There’s always going to be some bumps in the road and there’s always going to be some trouble. There’s going to

Madison Bierl

DUSTIN DAHLQUIST Dustin Dahlquist became principal of Lakewood Ranch High School in January 2019. During his tenure, the school experienced significant academic growth in the expansion of the College Board’s Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment at University of South Florida, State College of Florida, and Manatee Technical College while continuing to strengthen its reputation as an “academic powerhouse.”

be detractors. If you have good reasons and a solid structure, success comes. Sometimes it’s not always immediate.”

Dahlquist gave the example of when he became an assistant principal at Palmetto High School, the school was in the bottom 5% academically in the state of Florida with a D rating.

“When we didn’t get out of that D status, that was difficult,” Dahlquist said. “We kept on the same path and made some adjustments. Our teachers continued to believe in our students and in what we were doing. It was a collective group effort of everyone in that school community. Now students are getting a great education at Palmetto High School. Some of the programs they have over there are amongst the best in

Dustin Dahlquist, who has taught in a variety of roles in Manatee County including as a classroom teacher, athletic director, principal and more, is the founding principal of Rangeland High School.

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our district.”

Dahlquist described Lakewood Ranch High or “The Ranch” as an “academic powerhouse. Although he loves his job, he is excited for the future of building “The Range” as he called it.

“There’s great people here at Lakewood Ranch High School who are going to continue and this place is going to continue to thrive,” Dahlquist said.

As founding principal of Rangeland High School, Dahlquist is focused on establishing identity and foundation rather than replicating any single existing school. He expects many traditions and aspects of school culture to develop organically “from its infancy” as students, teachers and families start to build what the school will become.

Dahlquist said the mission and vision of Rangeland High School is still a work in progress, but he does have a vision on what he hopes the school will be. He wants students to proudly wear Rangeland High School merchandise and be

JULY 2026 | BACK TO SCHOOL

loud and proud about their education.

“I envision a place where students are proud of the school that they go to,” Dahlquist said.

“They work hard within their classrooms and their teachers are committed to the teaching and learning activities that are happening in our classrooms, in our extracurricular activities, and out on our playing fields.”

Dahlquist said the biggest misconception about opening a new school is that everything — including class offerings and extracurriculars like sports and clubs — will be set in stone from the first day.

“We’re going to have robust curricular offerings, but those are going to evolve over the course of time to ensure that the needs and the wants of our students are met,” Dahlquist said. “While in the beginning we are going to have XYZ within our curriculum guide, that does not mean that that is all we’re going to have or all we’re ever going to do.”

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BACK TO SCHOOL | JULY 2026

New schools lead to important choices Lake Manatee K-8 is open for business and Rangeland High School set to open fall of 2027 for Lakewood Rancharea families.

MADISON BIERL STAFF WRITER

N

ow that Kelbran Conrado has graduated from the fifth grade at Myakka City Elementary, his family was put in the predicament of having two children — Kelbran and his younger brother, Declan, who will be in second grade — on the same schedule but at campuses 18 miles apart.

Kelbran now will attend Lake Manatee K-8, which opened in August 2025, for middle school.

The boys’ parents — Miran-

NEW SCHOOLS Rangeland High School in Lakewood Ranch is currently the only new East County school on the horizon.

da and Chance Conrado — had a decision to make. Through school choice, they decided both boys will be attending Lake Manatee in August.

East County parents have to weigh the ramifications of their choice of school. Certainly, the school’s distance from their home is a major concern. But other factors can weigh heavily on the decision as well.

Has the child, or the children, become entrenched in a peer group at the existing school, which might be farther away and less convenient?

Do the parents have favorite teachers at the existing school and they aren’t sure what they are going to get at a new school?

Are there extracurricular activities at an existing school that make it attractive? Is there an exceptional principal at the existing school? Does a new school opening mean one child is zoned for that school while a younger or older sibling needs to stay at an existing school, which can lead to transportation problems or create the inability to be at two different places for important events?

Will a new school take time to operate efficiently? Can you make the decision to transfer your kids to a new school because you know what you’ve got in the current world?

Being zoned into a new school might mean it could shake up the way a family runs.

“We don’t have any concerns about Lake Manatee being a

Madison Bierl

Kevin Chapman, the associate superintendent of administration and Todd Richardson, principal of Lake Manatee K-8, welcomed students to the new school for the first time in August 2025.

newer school,” Miranda Conrado said. “We attended the new family orientation and (Principal Todd Richardson) gave such a thorough presentation that put our concerns at ease.”

With East County experiencing so much growth, new schools are needed to keep up with demand. Lake Manatee K-8 opened its elementary

Nurturing the whole child.

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school last August and will open up for sixth grade this coming school year. Rangeland High School, which is in the midst of construction, will open to freshmen and sophomores in fall 2027.

East County parents have SEE MORE, PAGE 16

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FROM PAGE 14

more choices now, and it’s not always easy.

Prior to attending Myakka City Elementary, the Conrado brothers attended Parrish’s Harvey K-8 when it was brand new in 2022. They had lived in Palmetto at the time, and shortly afterward moved to Myakka City.

But they enjoyed having their kids at a new school.

“Due to the larger campus size, there was a lot of hands-on help from teachers and parents for any given event,” Miranda Conrado said. “With Lake Manatee also being a larger campus, I’m sure that there are lots of helping hands to make sure things run smoothly.”

Like the Conrados, Myakka City’s Brittany McCord was in a similar situation with her two daughters — Maycee McCord, who will be entering sixth grade, and Mila McCord, who will be entering kindergarten.

Mila is zoned for Myakka City Elementary and Maycee is

zoned for Lake Manatee K-8.

But Brittany McCord went a different route.

She decided to keep Mila at Myakka.

“I will preach again that the size of the newer schools scare me,” Brittany McCord said. “If my children walk the halls at Myakka Elementary School, they will be greeted by name.

If they walk the halls at the newer, more crowded schools, they will be greeted by, ‘Who is your homeroom teacher?’

The schools are the same in the sense that they will be learning the same material, but that is about it.”

Swe e twa te r ’s M a rc i n Milewski has a son, Adam, who will be a third grader at Lake Manatee K-8. The family is happy being part of a new school. When the next school year begins, Nell Milewski will be a voluntary prekindergarten student there.

“The first year was great,” Marcin Milewski said. “We thought it would have more hiccups (such as scheduling and teacher shortage). I feel

the standards were set high for learning and behavior.”

Some families have children who decided not to attend a new school to keep their children’s peer group together, but their peers ended up transferring.

Elana Schwartz of Lorraine Lakes has two sons — Levi, who is going into fifth grade, and Jacob, who is going into third grade. Both will transfer from B.D. Gullett to Lake Manatee K-8 once the school year starts.

“Some of the boys’ friends made the switch last year, so they are excited to be back in the same school together,” Schwartz said.”

Elena Schwartz said they will make an extra effort to stay connected with the friends who aren’t making the switch through play dates and camps.

Irene Caiazzo of Star Farms is the mom of a rising senior at Braden River High School and rising eighth grade twins at R. Dan Nolan Middle School.

While the Braden River senior won’t have the opportunity to attend Rangeland High School,

Courtesy image

Chance, Kelbran, Miranda and Declan Conrado have enjoyed their time at Myakka City Elementary, but are glad to be together for another three years at Lake Manatee K-8.

where the family eventually will be zoned when it opens, the Caiazzos have yet to make a decision what high school the twins will attend.

For the Caiazzo family, the

struggle is they’ve transferred schools twice already, including when they moved from New York two years ago.

Caiazzo does worry about pedigree of teachers, as well as whether or not sports programs may or may not be available.

“We are in a unique opportunity in a brand new school, and it might actually be easier to build our own community when everyone is new,” Caiazzo said. “A bunch of parents trying to figure things out together can build a tight community very quickly, and we hope that could help us find our village.”

Katrina Zagroba-Kamal, a first grade teacher at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, said every school has areas in which they excel.

“Remember to breathe, enjoy that cup of coffee and make a to-do list of pros and cons,” Zagroba-Kamal said. “Enjoy the experience because sooner than you know, they will be off to college, trade school or something else. Embrace and enjoy the moments because time flies by.”

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YourObserver.com

JULY 2026 | BACK TO SCHOOL

Communication is the key that starts the bus While drivers and bus attendants are crucial, there are many more workers behind the scenes for Manatee schools.

MADISON BIERL STAFF WRITER

Madison Bierl

The School District of Manatee County bus attendant Rolando Giz and bus driver Richard Dymond said community members need to be more mindful of passing buses, especially when the stop sign is out, for it puts the students at risk on busy roads.

precious cargo of our kids and get them home and to school safely, and with all the traffic we have, it’s a huge challenge,” Dymond said. “Every day that we’re able to do it, I feel elated.”

When it comes to the transportation department, communication is key. Although

bus drivers are the people who are thought of immediately, there are various people behind the scenes helping to coordinate the safe travel of students as well.

Jamie Warrington, the director of transportation services for Manatee County Schools,

said most operation staff within the transportation department are clocked in and ready by 6 a.m. to troubleshoot any unforeseen circumstances such as a backup on local roads or anything else that might delay the safe delivery of students to school.

“Most of the morning stuff is on the fly because situations arise that you don’t know if they’re going to happen or not,” Warrington said. “In the afternoon, you have a little bit more time to plan and get notifications and things of that nature.

Our emphasis is always going to be on the morning and trying to be on time, because getting the kids off the street and into a safe environment is the priority.”

As of June 19, the district had 98 school bus drivers and 103 bus attendants hired to operate 97 buses and six vans.

There will be 110 to 112 routes, and Warrington hopes to have SEE TRANSPORTATION, PAGE 18

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B

efore most families pour their first cup of coffee in the morning, bus driver Richard Dymond and bus attendant Rolando Giz — who rides along to track behavior and the safety of the student passengers — are among the many staff members on their way to pick up elementary, middle and high school students for school.

On a March afternoon, with the stop sign on the bus fully extended, Dymond gave the signal to Giz that it was safe to

help middle school students cross the road. When Giz spotted a motorist who ignored the stop sign, he lunged forward to prevent the students from walking into harm’s way.

“It was a difficult moment, especially for the students,” Giz said. “I am grateful that I was able to see what was happening and was able to avoid a real disaster. The next morning, one of the student’s mothers came to us and thanked us for the help with this incident that turned out to be nothing, but could have been something serious.”

“It’s a privilege to drive the

17

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BACK TO SCHOOL | JULY 2026

TRANSPORTATION, FROM PAGE 17

at least 20 more drivers prior to the start of the next school year.

“Almost everybody who works here as a driver has said ‘I never thought I could do it,’” Dymond said. “Your brain gets acclimated to the size of the bus, and it becomes second nature, even though it looks daunting at first.”

Warrington said running the transportation department is truly a partnership — not just between the staff, but also between the staff, students and families.

“Parents have high expectations of us and rightfully so,” Warrington said. “I have high expectations of my staff to perform their job to the best of their ability, and we expect that students and parents recognize their job as drivers and attendants is difficult. There’s a lot going on and that driver needs to be focusing on the road and maintaining safety of the bus.

By default, when students are unruly or disrespectful or are

TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT

There are currently 98 drivers and 103 attendants to cover routes, and there will be an increase in routes when school starts. Within the department, there are 15 bus driver vacancies, one van operator vacancy, and 10 bus attendant vacancies. They are also in need of a customer service representative and a safety and training officer.

For more information on working at the School District of Manatee County, visit ManateeSchools.net/o/SDMC/page/ careers

Madison Bierl

Jamie Warrington, the director of transportation services for the School District of Manatee County, said in a perfect world there would be no delays and unexpected situations, but he is grateful for everyone in the transportation department who works diligently to get students to school safe.

not compliant and following the rules, it makes their job that much harder.”

Wa r r i n g t o n further explained he is not blaming the kids, but does acknowledge

that behavior has scared away potential drivers and staff in the past. He said the community has supported transportation and they do everything in their power to get kids to school safe and on time, even with unexpected delays.

Warrington said the supervisors work on the afternoon coverage while also meeting with drivers during the downtime between their morning runs and afternoon runs. They also watch videos to address behavior issues, which Warrington said is a time consuming process.

“You’ve got to know the date

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and roughly the time. Often (the drivers) don’t know what the time was,” Warrington said.

“You wind up having to watch the whole afternoon ride home from school or the whole ride in the morning to see if something’s on there that the principal needs to address. The supervisors are responsible for that.”

Quentrail McEwen, a supervisor and route administrator with Manatee County schools, said working as a supervisor is fast-paced because every day is different. She noted communication with drivers, attendants, schools, parents and staff

through phone calls, emails, messages and meetings is her primary responsibility.

“It keeps you on your toes, but it’s also rewarding because everyone comes together to make sure students are transported safely,” McEwen said.

When certain buses are out of order due to some kind of a deficiency or a state mandated inspection, equipment including safety vests and car seats need to be moved. Buses are checked regularly for any and all potential hazards, making sure all lights, brakes and more work correctly.

“It’s definitely a team effort to make everything work the way that it’s supposed to work,” Warrington said. “How do you explain chaos?”

“Transportation works because every position plays a role,” McEwen said. “There has to be strong communication and teamwork between everyone because each department depends on the other. We all work toward the same goal — students are transported safely and efficiently.”

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Here are some major assessments students must complete during their academic career.

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A

s the school year resumes, families look ahead at one familiar reality they might not be keen to think about — standardized testing.

The testing landscape includes several major milestones throughout a student’s academic career, with highstakes exams that begin as early as the third grade. However, local principals told the Observer that students are well-equipped to handle these assignments, although they can use some extra support

Ian Swaby

from their parents.

Here is an overview of the major tests students must complete in the state of Florida, and how families can help students navigate the pressure and help them be prepared.

CHECKPOINT EXAMS

McHenry Lerebours, principal of McIntosh Middle, brings 22 years of experience in education, and said the state now features more measures aimed at academic accountability than it did in the past.

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JULY 2026 | BACK TO SCHOOL

There are a lot more tests that they have to master and pass, so the pressure has definitely gotten to be a lot more, and the accountability measures are higher.”

— McHenry Lerebours, principal of McIntosh Middle

Third grade reading scores remain a critical milestone in the district. Of all elementary school assessments, third grade English language arts carries the most significant consequences. Under Florida law, students who are not able to read at grade level could be retained in third grade, unless they quality for specific exemptions or show sufficient progress through the district’s remediation efforts.

As students move into middle school, the standardized testing landscape expands SEE TESTING, PAGE 22

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“There are a lot more tests that they have to master and pass, so the pressure has definitely gotten to be a lot more, and the accountability measures are higher. With that, there are more resources available for students,” he said.

Testing begins with students attending VPK, who take the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) Star Early Literacy test.

However, the first tests that can be considered high-stakes begin with the third grade FAST tests, which cover English language arts and mathematics, and continue through the 10th grade, representing the Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (BEST).

Part of a federal program but specific to Florida, these tests involve three progress-monitoring tests over the course of the year. The first test, PM1, administered at the start of the year, serves as the baseline for measuring students’ progress.

It is followed by PM2 and concludes with PM3, the test that determines the school’s grade.

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Rising third grader Letizia Martinez reads aloud during a performance at Dreamers Academy’s summer school.

The program helps prevent the “summer slide” that can affect students in areas that include testing.

TESTING, FROM PAGE 21

Ian Swaby

school. Higher-level courses like Algebra 1 can also be taken during middle school for high school credit.

There are other avenues as well, for students can receive a score on tests like the SAT or ACT that can be counted as a passing score for some tests.

Students have been taking the ELA test every year since the third grade, notes Dorlinda Carlson, assistant principal of curriculum and academics at Lakewood Ranch High School.

“When they get to 10th grade, they’ll know what it is that they need to do to pass the test, and they’ll be proficient,” she said.

“At Lakewood, I have to say, the vast majority of the time, they are proficient. We have other schools in the county where that is not the case.”

Carlson says for students looking to attend college, high school testing stands alongside college entrance exams in importance, so students should look at combination of both.

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to include Statewide Science Assessments in grades 5 and 8. While these tests provide an overview of the students’ grasp of scientific concepts, passing is not necessary to advance to the next grade.

Middle schoolers also face the Civics End-of-Course (EOC) Assessment, which can be taken from grades 6 through 8, constituting 30% of the final course grade, but allowing retakes.

To receive a high school diploma, students need to earn 24 course credits, including credits for specific required courses. However, there are two subjects for which passing the end-of-course (EOC) exam is required for graduation.

These are the statewide FAST English language arts exam, and the Algebra 1 EOC, which accounts for 30% of that course grade. Both are typically taken in the 10th grade.

These tests can be reattempted throughout high

TESTING TIPS

As kids navigate the landscape, what can parents do to help?

Patti Folino, principal of Tuttle Elementary, said the school sees a correlation between support outside of school student success, while she notes that the school also has its own built-in supports including after- hours offerings and intervention time.

Geri Chaffee, co-founder of Dreamers Academy, a duallanguage charter school, finds that when students are younger, more parental involvement takes place, but as they move into middle school, parental engagement drops.

“I don’t know that parents should necessarily understand the intricacies of how it works, but I do think that parents should understand that they have a huge role to play in how their kids do at school, and whether they’re happy at school,” she said.

Lerebours said parents should make sure they are involved with their child’s school, participating in events

or attending awards ceremonies and sporting events, as well as communicating with teachers.

He also said one of the easiest ways to prevent the “summer slide,” the loss of learning during the summer, is by reading to kids, and suggests doing so for at least 20 minutes per day.

“Because they have lost some instructional time over the summer, they forget a lot of the skills that they’ve learned in the previous year,” he said.

Folino said nothing can match a board game night.

“You’re learning social skills like how to take turns, how to lose, you’re adding and subtracting, you’re problem solving, thinking ahead — most of the strategic games,” she said.

The educators said students are ultimately prepared to face the tests on their own.

“They’re aware of exactly what is being tested,” Chaffee said. “They know what’s going on and a lot of times, they even know that they need to get a higher score, and why it’s important.”

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JULY 2026 | BACK TO SCHOOL

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BACK TO SCHOOL | JULY 2026

District’s construction efforts peak in the summer Three East Manatee schools are under construction this summer.

STAFF WRITER

W

hile teachers have taken a well-deserved break over the summer months, Reginald L. Goff Sr.’s team kicks productivity up a few notches.

Goff is the director of the Construction Services Department for the School District of Manatee County.

“Summer is the time where we have the most opportunities,’” he said. “The students are not on campus, and we want to take advantage of the ability to do what we need to do as quickly as we possibly can.”

The construction department is especially busy in East County this summer. Range-

land High School is being built from the ground up. Lake Manatee K-8 is expanding, and Lakewood Ranch High School is in the process of getting a new HVAC system.

— Reginald L. Goff, director of the Construction Services Department for the School District of Manatee County

RANGELAND HIGH SCHOOL

Construction on the nearly 300,000-square-foot Rangeland High School started in January and is expected to cost $144 million.

The campus sits on approximately 85 acres at the southwest corner of Rangeland Parkway and Post Boulevard.

The high school will initially welcome about 1,070 ninth and 10th graders in August 2027. Eleventh grade will open in August 2028, and 12th grade will follow in August 2029.

Lesley Dwyer

Project managers David Wiles and Michelle Begue stand on either side of Reginald L. Goff Sr. looking at plans for Rangeland High School. Goff is the director of the Construction Services Department for the School District of Manatee County.

Although the school will still be under construction at the start of the 2026-2027 school year, Goff said construction will be vertical by the first day

of school in August. The walls for the classrooms and the cafeteria will be taking shape.

By July 2027, the classrooms, cafeteria, gymnasium and the

administration and media center will be finished.

By August 2027, the auditorium, ball fields, sports courts, track and parking lots will be finished just in time to welcome students.

The first day of school for over 1,000 students depends on construction. Goff called

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LESLEY DWYER

Summer is the time where we have the most opportunities,’” he said.

“The students are not on campus, and we want to take advantage of the ability to do what we need to do as quickly as we possibly can.”

summer a “great accelerator.”

The school district sticks to its schedules by including construction contingencies in its contracts that cover unforeseen expenses that could otherwise delay construction.

On the other side of the contract, contractors don’t get paid if they’re not hitting their milestones.

“I don’t think we’ve had any schools that were late,” said Regina Thoma, executive director for School Support Services.

Designs for Rangeland High School follow the prototype for Parrish Community High School, which includes an auditorium that can hold over 700 people.

Jamie Carson, the director of communications for the school district, noted that the new auditoriums’ space and production value offer a “community theater feel.”

An expansion plan for Rangeland High School is mapped out and ready to go when enrollment demands it.

The second two-story class-

JULY 2026 | BACK TO SCHOOL

room wing will bring the student stations up to about 2,500.

LAKE MANATEE K-8

Lake Manatee K-8 will have a new two-story classroom addition that will welcome its first class of sixth graders this August. Seventh grade will open in 2027, and eighth grade will open in 2028.

The eventual capacity will exceed 1,800 students.

Carson noted that phasing students into a new school provides a “smoother transition.”

“It doesn’t have anything to do with whether or not the facility can handle it, it’s just a normal school process,” she said.

The gymnasium will also be complete by this fall.

The addition cost $17.4 million, bringing the total cost of construction for the school up to $123 million.

LAKEWOOD RANCH HIGH SCHOOL

After students, parents and teachers expressed concerns over the presence of mold in

Courtesy image

The construction of Rangeland High School is underway in Lakewood Ranch.

Lakewood Ranch High School, an approximately $1.6 million professional cleanup was completed in March.

Although the initial inspection found that mold was present, the report indicated

that the levels among over 120 samples were so low that the air quality inside the school was better than the air quality outside.

Although the issue resurfaced in 2025, Lakewood Ranch

25

High School closed one building in 2017 due to visible mold.

Recent remediation efforts included air filter replacements throughout the school.

The next step is to replace the entire HVAC system, including the underground supply lines and the ducts.

Goff said replacing the underground supply lines is the first step, which will cost about $6 million. Another $30 million is allotted for the aboveground work.

The underground work has begun, but the HVAC system needs a design first. Once the architects and engineers are chosen, a design will take about four months to complete.

Designs are needed to be sure the new system fits within the confines of the school. No major construction is required, but an equipment room could require a minor expansion.

The plan is to have underground work completed by fall 2027 and the aboveground work completed by fall 2028.

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Learning from the pros Coaches’ careers bring a unique perspective to their training repertoire at the high school level.

JACK NELSON SPORTS REPORTER

A

n “oh crap” moment of realization hit Mike Rostampour after his first practice overseas as a professional basketball player.

He was on his own.

He had to find the right foods to take care of his nutrition. He had to find a gym to take care of his body. And he had to keep his mental health in check so he could excel on the court.

There was no support system for him to lean on that night, and rarely was there ever that off-the-court support from 2015-21 while competing in Slovakia, Canada, Mexico, El Salvador and Iran.

That journey taught him a

lesson he eventually would pass down to his Lakewood Ranch Prep boys basketball players. It was a lesson he considered the most important of all.

“If you want to be the best, you’re on your own,” Rostampour said.

Rostampour said while high school athletics might serve the players well in their overall development — as players, as students, as citizens — those who want to go above and beyond need to take ownership of that task.

Such is the wisdom of retired professional athletes. They have a wealth of knowledge and experience other coaches can’t match.

Some former pros might keep that knowledge and experience

close to the vest, but others feel a responsibility to share it with the next generation.

Both Sarasota and East County area teams are home to retired pros who now coach high school athletic programs.

They have chosen to give back after their playing days.

Molding their respective approaches to coaching from their experiences as pro athletes took time, though. They had to learn the challenges of working with high school athletes.

Barry Cheesman, who’s entering his third year as the Sarasota High boys golf coach, made 82 cuts in 220 tournaments on the PGA Tour. He also has two Korn Ferry Tour wins to his name.

He became a PGA Teaching Professional in 2008, and had instructed high school-aged golfers one-on-one before joining the Sailors, helping

Jack Nelson

This past season was Jordan Guerrero’s first as The Out-of-Door Academy baseball coach. Guerrero, who pitched in the San Diego Padres organization from 2015-23, guided the Thunder to an 8-12 record.

them toward their goals. Leading a team of golfers with differing individual goals is not the same.

“They don’t know the time and effort they need to succeed at what they’re trying to do,” Cheesman said. “Not every kid

wants to go to college and play golf, and not every kid is going to go to college and play golf. I try to convince them that they can.”

Former pros understand that there might be a heightened expectation when they take

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It’s definitely fun to try to piece together a puzzle of how guys can find out who they are individually.”

Barry Cheesman (third from left) guided Sarasota High boys golf to a sixth-place tie at the 2025 FHSAA Class 3A state championship.

Then-senior Jake MacDonald (fourth from left) was the Sailors’ top individual finisher in T-19th place.

— Jordan Guerrero, The Out-ofDoor Academy

over as a high school coach.

Jordan Guerrero, who was a first-year coach for Out-ofDoor Academy baseball last season, encourages his players to set lofty goals. But he does remind them of reality.

A 2014 Braden River High graduate, he pitched in the San Diego Padres organization from 2015-23, getting as far as the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas.

He knows that only a select few make it to the minors, and even fewer, Major League Baseball. Everyone’s path is different. Guerrero identifies each of his athletes’ paths and shows them how to follow it.

“It would be easy for me to say, ‘Hey, if you work hard, you’re going to reach your dreams.’ The real world, unfor-

Image courtesy of Barry Cheesman

tunately, just doesn’t work like that,” Guerrero said. “I go back to, ‘Hey, realistically, what is your path?’ It’s definitely fun to try to piece together a puzzle of how guys can find out who they are individually.”

Former pros command a certain unspoken respect from high school athletes.

But that’s not always the case.

Rostamour said he has found few —if any — athletes, who care much about his own success.

His players know he played for the Iran men’s national basketball team in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. They’re more interested in how they can reach their goals.

“This isn’t the Bob Knight era of 20, 30 years ago. This is an

era where kids don’t care what you did in the past, they want to know what you can do for them now,” Rostampour said. “How are you treating them? Are you fair? Are you direct? Are you upfront?”

Do the former pros have an edge in the high school coaching world? One area might be the mental part of the game.

Regardless of their sport, they each faced considerable challenges to reach that level.

Golf is no exception. Cheesman teaches his athletes to strengthen themselves mentally as often as he teaches them to strengthen their skills on the green.

“The way they practice, the way they approach their matches, the way they approach their rounds of golf — we’re constantly talking about stuff,” Cheesman said. “It’s more of the mental aspects that they encounter when they’re playing golf that can be really difficult for them.”

Guerrero had a conversation with one of his players a couple months ago. He said the con-

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versation reminded him how important it is to coach the mental side of baseball.

This athlete was struggling and frustrated. Guerrero tried reassuring him that struggles are not few and far between in the sport.

“I’m like, ‘Hey man, who cares if you’re struggling?

Everyone goes through it,’” Guerrero said. “And he looked me in the face and said, ‘I care if I’m struggling.’ At that point, I’m like, ‘OK, this is tough. This is ingrained in this guy’s mind.

How can we get it out of him?’”

Both Cheesman and Rostampour recommended that fellow retired pros consider high school coaching. Guerrero said his experience has been positive, but also said he would only recommend it to those whose hearts are truly in it.

Those who do make the transition bring a unique perspective that can be valuable.

“I feel like I have a doctoral degree in basketball,” Rostampour said. “For me to keep all that knowledge to myself would seem selfish.”

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SCHOOL YEAR AT A GLANCE 2026-2027 School District of Manatee County key dates

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AUGUST 2026 3 School in-service/teacher workday 4 District in-service 5-6 Teacher workdays 7 District in-service 10 First day for students SEPTEMBER 2026 7 Labor day – All district sites closed 11-13 Rosh Hashana 20-21 Yom Kippur 25 Elementary early release OCTOBER 2026 2 Elementary early release 5-9 Survey week 9 End of quarter 1 (44 days) 12 Record Day – No school for students 28 Professional learning early release NOVEMBER 2026 11 Veterans Day – All district sites closed 23-27 Thanksgiving holiday 26 Thanksgiving – All district sites closed 23-24 Hurricane make-up days (if needed)

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DECEMBER 2026 4-11 Hanukkah TBD MS/HS Exams 16-18 High school early release 18 End of first semester (87 days) 21-31 All district sites closed 21-22 Hurricane make-up days (if needed)

JANUARY 2027 1 New Years Day — all district sites closed 4 Teachers return/Record Day 5 District inservice 5 Hurricane make-up day (if needed) 6 Students return 18 ML King Jr. Day – all district sites closed FEBRUARY 2027 1-5 Survey week 10 Professional learning early release 15 Presidents Day — all district sites closed 26 Elementary early release MARCH 2027 11 Elementary early release 11 End of quarter 3 (45 days) 12 Record Day — no school for students 15-19 Spring break — all schools closed 26 Good Friday — all district sites closed APRIL 2027 21-29 Passover MAY 2027 TBD MS/HS Exams 25-27 Early release all schools 27 Last day students, end of second semester (93 days) 28 Record Day/last day for teachers 31 Memorial Day – all district sites closed

Moksha Pitchala and Sophi Jo Branscomb await the start of the Braden River High commencement ceremony May 19.

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A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SARASOTA SCHOOLS TERRY CONNOR

A

t the time I am writing this letter, the school district is awaiting our official end of year assessment results from the Florida Department of Education. We monitor academic progress throughout each school year to ensure that our students are on track.

Any time we receive thirdparty updates related to our work, we take advantage of the opportunity to improve

and grow. Provided that our independent tracking is correct, we can expect to see great gains for our students and school communities throughout the district.

All of the school district’s accolades are the result of hard work and maximum effort at every level, from our students deciding to attend school each day and completing their assignments, to our families choosing to participate in their school communities and stay involved in their child’s education.

It helps every time a teacher or staff member goes the extra mile to help a student, family or fellow team member, or when a local business or community group steps up to fulfill a need for a school.

Each conscious choice to pursue excellence leads to the betterment of our teaching and learning environments districtwide.

Sarasota County Schools

has embraced recent challenges to better position itself for the future. As our students’ goals and aspirations have changed with the emergence of new technologies and areas of work, so has the school district’s program offerings.

These have taken shape as the Future Focused Strategic Initiative (FFSI).

For those who might not be aware, the FFSI is a long-range plan designed to strengthen our neighborhood schools, expand educational opportunities for students, and preserve local control of our school campuses. Our leadership and school-based teams have spent months poring over plan details to ensure that these innovative programs become a reality.

The FFSI focuses on making smarter use of our existing school environments while introducing new, engaging programs that align with the district’s mission to foster

excellence in education. Some of these changes include transitioning several elementary school campuses into K-8 schools; implementing 3DE by Junior Achievement at Riverview High School and Wellen Park High School; creating a Junior Achievement BizTown site at Emma E. Booker Elementary School, as well as a Junior Achievement Finance Park site at Booker Middle School; and opening the Gulf Coast Academy of Innovation & Technology at Brookside. As we continue to move through phases of the FFSI over the years, I know our students, families and school communities will thrive and grow exponentially.

After much planning and a tremendous amount of hard work from our trade partners and district team members, we are excited to officially open Wellen Park High School on the first day of school this year. Wellen Park High School

is a state-of-the-art campus built to inspire excellence.

Wellen Park High School’s signature programs include the Cambridge AICE Magnet Program, the SOAR STEM Research Magnet Program, innovative Career & Technical Education (CTE) pathways, high-level Fine and Performing Arts, a Comprehensive Agriculture Program, a Marine JROTC Program and more.

Sarasota County Schools is fortunate to be a part of a community that prioritizes and values education. Our teachers, staff members and school leaders are committed to providing the absolute best educational experience for all students. I am immensely proud of the work we have done to support our students and families over the past year — thank you for your continued trust and partnership as we all work together to uplift every student, every day.

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