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Sarasota County Schools

Suncoast Searchlight

Sarasota County Schools to Cut Teachers as Vouchers Divert Millions From District

The cuts—which could disproportionately affect first-year teachers—have rattled an A-rated district long seen as stable, fueling frustration among educators and parents.

04/03/2026 By Alice Herman/Suncoast Searchlight

Farming 101

One of Sarasota County’s Newest Programs, the Farm, Teaches Agricultural Skills and Life Lessons

The Farm’s entire philosophy comes back to using agriculture as a holistic teaching tool.

02/05/2026 By Lauren Jackson

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

Education

Florida's School Voucher Program Is in the Hot Seat Again

Among other problems, between $1 million and $2 million dollars went to scammers who created fraudulent accounts for fictitious students in order to receive funds. 

01/21/2026 By Megan McDonald and Lauren Jackson

Falling Short

Sarasota’s Kindergarten Vaccination Rate Is Among the Lowest in the State

Only 79.9 percent of Sarasota County kindergarteners had immunization compliance in 2024-25. The number is the lowest in the region in more than a decade.

01/02/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Stats

Sarasota County School Vouchers and Their Impacts

The state-funded scholarships have cut enrollment in public schools, which decreases state funding for each district, affecting teachers, administrators and students..

11/04/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Suncoast Searchlight

Most Suncoast Lawmakers Quiet as Charter School Expansion Fuels Local Upheaval

The same lawmakers who voted earlier this year to let charter schools move into underused public campuses have stayed quiet as a Miami-based charter operator’s early push to occupy local schools set off confusion and concern among parents and educators.

10/20/2025 By McKenna Oxenden/Suncoast Searchlight and Derek Gilliam/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

Seeding Knowledge

Sarasota County Schools Has Launched Its Newest Education Initiative: a Working Farm

The $8 million agricultural complex sits on 39.1 acres next to McIntosh Middle School, where county students can get down and dirty while learning about agriculture.

09/18/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Creative and Candid

Actress Heather Graham Shares Candid Insights on Filmmaking, Perseverance and Female Representation

The "Boogie Nights" actress talked with students and film lovers about the creative grind, industry challenges and the personal journey behind her latest film, "Chosen Family."

02/25/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Education

Sarasota, Manatee County School Districts Announce Reopening Plans

Sarasota County schools will reopen on Wednesday, Oct. 16. Manatee County schools will reopen tomorrow, Oct. 15.

10/14/2024 By Staff

Weather

Sarasota County Schools to Close From Sept. 25 to Sept. 27 Due to Tropical Storm Helene

Manatee County schools, Ringling College and New College also announced closures.

09/24/2024 By Staff

A Place to Grow

How Sarasota's Cyesis Program Helps Teen Parents Stay in School

“Cyesis was built to wrap expectant and parenting teens with the support they need most,” says program director Meredith Piazza.

09/01/2024 By Stephanie Churn Lubow

See Change

The SEE Alliance Is Working to Mobilize Florida's Young Voters

'The movement that is growing within Gen Z in Florida right now is monumental, unique to circumstance and cannot easily be recreated or reinvigorated later on,' says SEE Alliance founder Zander Moricz.

08/19/2024 By Elizabeth Djinis

Education

Evacuation Centers Close in Sarasota County, Schools Plan to Reopen Tomorrow

Sarasota County schools serving as Idalia evacuation centers have closed and are prepping for school reopening tomorrow. The School District of Manatee County is still determining its reopening date.

08/30/2023 By Staff

Hurricanes

Sarasota, Manatee County Schools to Close Ahead of Tropical Storm Idalia

The tropical storm is forecast to become a major hurricane that could pose threats to our region.

08/28/2023 By Staff

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

From the Editor

The Freedom to Read

Fear will drive good teachers out of the school system and undermine people’s trust in public education.

03/01/2023 By Cooper Levey-Baker

At Sarasota Magazine, we celebrate Sarasota’s vibrant culture, rich history, and bright future with award-winning, high-quality content that captures the spirit of our community.

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