Suncoast Searchlight

Sarasota School Board Flips to Liberal Majority After Years of Conservative Control

The next Sarasota County School board will see a liberal-leaning majority take control after voters rejected the conservative policies and culture wars that for years dominated the board.

08/20/2026 By Alice Herman/Suncoast Searchlight

Suncoast Searchlight

Three Open School Board Seats Could Change the Direction of Sarasota County Schools

Seven candidates are vying for the three open seats on the Sarasota County School Board.

07/27/2026 By Alice Herman/Suncoast Searchlight

Suncoast Searchlight

After Sarasota County Schools’ ICE Vote, Questions Remain About Enforcement on Campuses

Despite the outcry, board members voted 3 to 2 to pass the measure, committing to “full cooperation and collaboration” with ICE.

01/23/2026 By Alice Herman/Suncoast Searchlight

Suncoast Searchlight

‘Hostile Takeover’: Charter Operator Files to Occupy Three Sarasota Schools

In three nearly identical two-page notices, the charter school laid out plans for takeovers at Brookside Middle, Emma E. Booker Elementary School and Oak Park School, a K-12 campus that serves students with disabilities.

10/09/2025 By Derek Gilliam/Suncoast Searchlight, Alice Herman/Suncoast Searchlight, and Josh Salman/Suncoast Searchlight

Q & A

An In-Depth Conversation With Terrence Connor, Sarasota County Schools' New Superintendent

"Sarasota has challenges, like all districts, but it has so many things to be proud of, too. It's a great place to raise a family and the schools are great."

06/21/2023 By Kim Doleatto

Education

Sarasota County Schools Hires New Superintendent

The board voted 3-2 to appoint Terrence Connor to the job. He is currently deputy superintendent for Hillsborough County Public Schools.

06/14/2023 By Staff

No Go

School Board Rejects Proposal for Consultant Review

School board members voted 3-2 to not move forward with a contract with Vermilion Education, a fledgling company with conservative political ties.

04/19/2023 By Kim Doleatto

Politics

The Sarasota County School Board Votes Out Superintendent Brennan Asplen

At last night's meeting, board members voted 4-1 to move forward with a separation agreement with Asplen.

12/14/2022 By Kim Doleatto

Education

The Sarasota County School Board Wants Superintendent Brennan Asplen Gone

At a special meeting on Tuesday, members voted 4-1 to begin negotiations with Asplen for his resignation.

11/30/2022 By Kim Doleatto

Sexist Standards

Dress Codes vs. the Student Body

Four years after the story of a Bradenton girl receiving a dress code violation went viral, students say little has changed.

08/26/2022 By Chloe Nelson

Piling on

Faced With New State Education Laws and Policies, Many Teachers Feel Distrusted

A recent survey reveals low morale among many Sarasota County teachers.

08/23/2022 By Kim Doleatto

Digital Hugs

A New Facebook Page Uplifts Sarasota County Schools

The page, "We Love Our Sarasota County Schools," aims to counter negativity and celebrate the daily successes that happen at school.

11/05/2021 By Kim Doleatto

Awards

Barancik Foundation Names Five Teachers as 'Ripple Effect' Award Winners

They are Christine Dapra, Deb Hogue, Taleisa Schlemmer, Tina Slattery and Brian Upholz.

09/29/2021 By Staff

Education

Sarasota School District Updates Face Mask Exemption Policy

The district is now only accepting exemption forms from MDs, DOs and nurse practitioners. The move comes after Venice chiropractor Dan Busch signed more than 500 medical exemption forms.

09/01/2021 By Megan McDonald

Breaking News

Florida Judge Strikes Down DeSantis' Ban on Mask Mandates in Schools

More Florida children are hospitalized with Covid-19 right now than at any other point in the pandemic.

08/27/2021 By Megan McDonald

Education

Florida Scholarship to Help Bullied Kids May Now Go Toward 'Covid Harassment'

The Hope Scholarship helps bullied children transfer schools. Now, the taxpayer-funded Florida program may help children transfer to a private school if they are bullied for wearing—or not wearing—a mask at school.

08/20/2021 By Allison Forsyth