[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6663115,"mediaKeyId","2391506-135897ed0b6242aeafbec56b563bd24e","parentId",2391506,"title","Votes at a glance: School Board of Manatee County, Feb. 25, 2025","audioSeconds",1724,"startMs",414000,"endMs",2138000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391506-135897ed0b6242aeafbec56b563bd24e&start=414&end=2138","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391506-135897ed0b6242aeafbec56b563bd24e/thumbnail_414000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6663115/Florida/Votes-at-a-glance-School-Board-of-Manatee-County-Feb-25-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663115-c22689a14a1824fd94342be4ca296e11/orig.mp4?Expires=1776000159&Signature=olZ8eOBSoKmmita0InbPtJ7ktijicCaOCTlJ5NpZ5r0GqORJwMfQzooUVcJMCnLb7Nr~WX9m2wMyZY1hF-UhZm~GaG2-SREAWENM1~Pr2sVJOIAquYg0~Pn53UETn~4EOSum2d2wt-Iq09MJalSm06eUuXD9BA9vNw-vs~MMOLrzJzo69OaNUZNcFdRWW5GHcVLrA3PMXhTn~tHjiMNIDgGpwaL9QOzC7Smh~LLIafZtJA3OB0EozP8iM8siTJTxkU8jGdcuTbXFVSZmwGulmX3Hs5sLpzR-fy0mTN7DFPPhKjw1rd1iGbd2h38DjH4U6Q2j8JAfsJd2uhhxJrU7FQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","School District of Manatee County","date","2025-02-26T00:14:36.053Z","article","At its Feb. 25 regular meeting the School Board of Manatee County recorded the following votes. All roll-call tallies below were recorded at the meeting.

Agenda approval — Passed 5–0
Motion: Amend the agenda to include items listed under amendments on the 02/25/2025 agenda (updated 02/21/2025) and approve the agenda as amended. Outcome: Passed 5 to 0.

Approval of minutes (Feb. 11 meeting) — Passed 5–0
Motion: Approve minutes of the Feb. 11, 2025 school board meeting. Outcome: Passed 5 to 0.

Consent agenda — Passed 5–0
Motion: Approve the consent agenda (13 items). Outcome: Passed 5 to 0.

Authorization to initiate rezoning process (Policy 5120.02) — Passed 5–0
Motion: Approve initiation of revision of residential attendance zones per School District of Manatee County Policy 5120.02. Mover: Dr. Christopher Wysong. Second: not specified. Outcome: Passed 5 to 0.

Notes: Several agenda and consent motions were routine and had no extended debate. The rezoning authorization was discussed at length and is the subject of a separate, detailed staff presentation and article.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Meeting - February 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved routine agenda and consent items and authorized start of the rezoning process. Listed are motions voted on, outcomes, and basic details.","taxTitle","Manatee, School Districts, Florida","taxId",13113,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6663120,"Manatee Technical College law enforcement range opens; school board spotlights CTE month and student honors",1198,483000,1681000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391506-135897ed0b6242aeafbec56b563bd24e&start=483&end=1681","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391506-135897ed0b6242aeafbec56b563bd24e/thumbnail_483000.jpg","/articles/6663120/Florida/Manatee-Technical-College-law-enforcement-range-opens-school-board-spotlights-CTE-month-and-student-honors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663120-5a455a0c40df627d24124bcb8e7fa672/orig.mp4?Expires=1776000159&Signature=gtCZ~rMefstQSS-tHkCjCBdUR7oQIXBrOPX0L08atqdtV7oUTkvs93w~RmS4wJF7n97uqVbLEC~1T-VrSHXnc1skP2NZMD6L5R7ouv~M7VTTfjDSOY0e~5ce622SS~~yi5R4weQrkMKvStMGoKA40AGyAbQqgB~jE-9V0-AsFg0iVgW2effG06dlNBOT2L5VweJdTEn4ATFRmLbOVUyoA2jH~1je69XTXgMTVj9SNu-vqbW34kBuz0F1l5BuWfUSAUgyrY152pcDtNnpbGHC2z9cRvPGfGH4zUzTuALM7lAogvlpZzaERXH4sT0wWkjPI~X8lNaI7G2Ki1EM0bzUTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members opened the Feb. 25 meeting by noting they had attended the ribbon cutting earlier in the day for the Manatee Technical College City of Bradenton law enforcement training center in Myakka, and the board used the meeting to highlight Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month and student recognitions.

Paul Gansmer, executive director of adult career and technical education, reviewed district CTE offerings, industry certifications, articulation agreements and student organizations (CTSO). “Career and Technical Education is an awesome thing for all of our students, as well as our community,” Gansmer said. He described MTC\u000027s growth to more than 50 programs and the college\u000027s role in short-term, workforce-oriented training, including automotive and culinary programs that recently earned external accreditation and awards.

The board also recognized student achievement in the arts. Riccarda Robinson Chenault, the district\u000027s visual and performing arts specialist, announced that seventh-grader Boston Wilson of Buffalo Creek Middle School won the district\u000027s Arts in the Capitol competition; his artwork is hanging in the state capitol for the legislative session and he received a $200 art-supply gift certificate. “Boston, your work, Snooty, is going to be featured at the State Capitol this year. Congratulations,” Chenault said.

Gansmer and other CTE staff introduced representatives from multiple CTE programs: Lincoln Middle School\u000027s medical magnet, Hale Middle School\u000027s VEX robotics team (which recently qualified for state competition), MTC\u000027s automotive program (which earned master automotive service technician accreditation by ASC), and postsecondary CTSOs including HOSA and SkillsUSA. The board and staff said MTC would host demonstrations and that several district teams will compete at state and national events.

Why it matters: The new law enforcement training center provides a local training site for law-enforcement partners and the day\u000027s recognitions highlighted CTE pathways that the district says prepare students for direct entry into careers or college credit articulation.

What the board noted: Board members praised the new facility, the day\u000027s community partnership and the students recognized from across the district. Staff said they will continue to notify the board about CTE competitions and national qualifiers.","The board recognized CTE Month and students from district schools; the meeting followed the ribbon cutting for a new Manatee Technical College law-enforcement training center and highlighted awards and state-level contests for CTE and arts students.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6663125,"Manatee schools' debt ratings upgraded; district to issue COPs to fund two elementary schools",243,1797000,2040000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391506-135897ed0b6242aeafbec56b563bd24e&start=1797&end=2040","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391506-135897ed0b6242aeafbec56b563bd24e/thumbnail_1797000.jpg","/articles/6663125/Florida/Manatee-schools-debt-ratings-upgraded-district-to-issue-COPs-to-fund-two-elementary-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663125-403c3d4efe04f207bd5edffb9fc12cfb/orig.mp4?Expires=1776000159&Signature=TVjvd9goSXmzZlrOh2uB1skZZbtSRYzZNP8R1aH3sYWd6lFT-d43B9dRzCgyLbdOBX0zdDU3tCzsEsw2nR7oTkD~bZ4QlfcNHGG6MvnW0sJtj9njyxHfYEWKreC-TKojhb9nB591W1PtjhOxQkEnxXyUN07XtFGsQ3ywJeOcb6vZdLblFvFqDxU5JPjkT-XVXxFUvrqPwjlrqx3yXoZdq3MLlsJdy8VmdX9VPGKHboLDhVT559vFP30eTq7I8kxdlFykJ2ff7hbfkvw~eV27D2ltfgkPTwpR6PKXH~KMUggSYIH5xM7G0rb9k-GIgGCdv6GIUAoH1Hk4ogFWbiII6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Business services staff told the School Board of Manatee County on Feb. 25 that Fitch Ratings and S&P Global recently upgraded the district\u000027s debt ratings and the district plans a Certificates of Participation (COP) sale to fund two elementary-school construction projects.

Rachel Sellers, speaking for business services, summarized the upgrades: Fitch upgraded the long-term rating for the district\u000027s 2025A COP series to A+, upgraded the outstanding COPs to A+, and raised the issuer default rating (IDR) and outstanding sales-tax revenue bonds to AA-. The next day S&P Global upgraded the certificates of participation series 2025A to A+ and affirmed the previously upgraded outstanding COPs. “This reflects, like, the board\u000027s trend of stable finances, the economic growth, and our low debt burden,” Sellers told the board.

Staff said COP pricing is scheduled for March 4, with pre-closing March 11 and a final closing on March 13; proceeds will be used to reimburse certain construction expenditures and to finance two elementary projects at Artisan Lakes and Rye Ranch. Sellers said the district completed reimbursement resolutions last May for expenditures that will be reimbursed from the COP issuance. Board members noted that improved ratings generally make it easier to market debt to investors.

Why it matters: Higher credit ratings can reduce borrowing costs and make debt more attractive to buyers, which can affect the district\u000027s capital program and the timing of construction. The board earlier authorized the projects and tonight received the ratings update and sale timeline.

Other finance items: At the meeting the board approved the district\u000027s new external auditor contract (effective July 1) and authorized staff to submit a school-safety grant application to the Florida Department of Education for just under $750,000 to support safety upgrades.

What staff said next: Pricing for the COPs will occur next week and funds are expected to be transferred after the March 13 closing. Staff said they will post details to the district\u000027s bond and finance pages and continue to brief the board.","Fitch and S&P raised ratings for the school district\u000027s debt categories ahead of a planned certificates of participation (COPs) sale to finance construction of two elementary schools. District staff said pricing will occur early March, with closing and proceeds available mid-March.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6663130,"Manatee school board authorizes start of countywide rezoning process",576,2139000,2715000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391506-135897ed0b6242aeafbec56b563bd24e&start=2139&end=2715","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391506-135897ed0b6242aeafbec56b563bd24e/thumbnail_2139000.jpg","/articles/6663130/Florida/Manatee-school-board-authorizes-start-of-countywide-rezoning-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663130-33fff884483671fe5030a66f9628057f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776000159&Signature=En1VO3fXcLn75iP0Qd4pb8IWu-5eYhX2EwlPchL1lxI2gr7WDE~lmZ7cTxSBSei51aJ1LUN6-UWqikmQ999wXert-SWnc6mGwuJj4Dw0F5X6H8W666T7Oyt9iO4Ae0ZfNHiHj3djLX70gJRiCy-5VAs~a7OvX1jzhpIPJLrYRn-4WHyboJz64Ae4bvnx0stpCqeV-xlEQesgQxpcAgDQ1wKZLZd~IX2aYDBYihrPZWtMUISrNAdbJT8YvXi~4rDzpIgrW85MEGqr6fIUFqZgN3m7tBUPyi1Dsw2ZjtlXnYWpwLGp5aEyIt-zgdfJ71ZRDW0lFbSWx3GehI8H2heGYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The School Board of Manatee County on Feb. 25 voted 5-0 to authorize staff to begin a formal revision of residential attendance zones under district Policy 5120.02, setting a public engagement process that officials said will run over the next six to eight months.

Superintendent Dr. Christopher Wysong told the board that the review stems from sustained enrollment growth, a number of district-operated schools at or near capacity, projected residential development, and the opening of new schools that require drawing new attendance zones. “Policy 5 1 2 0 dot 0 2, is titled rezoning of residential attendance areas. This policy requires me to periodically review multiple variables, including student enrollment in our district operated schools, facility utilization, and projected growth,” Dr. Wysong said during the meeting.

Board members were briefed on the planned public process. Staff said they will hold five identical public information meetings at different high schools starting the week after the board meeting and completing before spring break; the meetings will explain the reasons for rezoning, the review parameters, and how the public can comment. Communications staff member Chris Chapman told the board the district will post materials and accept input at a web page (www.manateeschools.net/rezoningprocess) and on the district’s Let’s Talk app. “When you go to that website, you can click on that yellow box, and it will take you to the next slide, which details where these community meetings will be held and the times and locations and dates,” Chapman said.

Staff outlined the procedural steps the board approved tonight: (1) a round of informational public meetings and collection of input; (2) board workshop discussion March 14 to summarize public input and additional data requested by board members; (3) staff-generated map proposals (policy requires at least three) for subsequent public review; and (4) refinement to a recommended map and final board action. Dr. Wysong emphasized that no changes would take effect before the 2026–27 school year: “None of the changes that are made in this process would take effect until the 02/2627 school year or later.”

Board and staff also addressed Sunshine Law concerns about board member attendance at the public meetings. Attorney Dan Dye told the board members that they may attend and listen but should avoid private conversations or discussion among board members at those meetings to prevent a Sunshine Law violation. “I wouldn’t have private conversations with each other,” Dye said.

Why it matters: School staff said growth and capacity pressures are countywide, and the district plans to use the rezoning process to rebalance enrollment ahead of two planned elementary-school openings funded through upcoming debt issuance. The process will include multiple opportunities for public input and at least one subsequent public round when draft maps are released.

What the board approved (action): The board approved staff’s recommendation to initiate revision of residential attendance zones under Policy 5120.02. The motion passed 5 to 0.

What’s next: Staff will host the five public information meetings next week, post the workshop slide deck and video from the Feb. 14 workshop, gather public input via Let’s Talk, and return to the board at a March 14 workshop to summarize feedback and seek direction for map generation.","The School Board of Manatee County voted 5-0 to authorize staff to begin a public, multi-step rezoning process under district policy 5120.02. The process will include five public information meetings, at least three map proposals for public review, and any changes would take effect for the 2026–27 school year or later.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: School Board of Manatee County, Feb. 25, 2025

Manatee Technical College law enforcement range opens; school board spotlights CTE month and student honors

Manatee schools' debt ratings upgraded; district to issue COPs to fund two elementary schools

Manatee school board authorizes start of countywide rezoning process