[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6204844,"mediaKeyId","3777760-37650ae6f457a61729861fc4c7ee6f0c","parentId",3777760,"title","Public urges clearer anti-discrimination language and school protections for immigrant students; board and superintendent reiterate existing protocols","audioSeconds",903,"startMs",1883000,"endMs",2786000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3777760-37650ae6f457a61729861fc4c7ee6f0c&start=1883&end=2786","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3777760-37650ae6f457a61729861fc4c7ee6f0c/thumbnail_1883000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6204844/Sarasota/School-Districts/Florida/Public-urges-clearer-anti-discrimination-language-and-school-protections-for-immigrant-students-board-and-superintendent-reiterate-existing-protocols","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6204844-fc8e66e5ecbe4d67fed46fdf510bd1ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156440&Signature=WtJI8isetTDWk9EXmWwOTdGZX0-7mRzfBDbmt2hVPufuuriExLIJIGAOM~V0ciNbkgPe3sIHTk14Wq5IzytPUf8Jtv7KeUMsXFEkfA2a8HWCgxd8FEsc1waP1wxkLV1Orxz6gdRndpHtKqWth4OWRnJ1QnadEfldQnjYT0AB30-jGWQRq5N2mpbr-KkuiSGUfR6TlwWFtvaZGrOt9pIqZ0WZx7dbCZ4Pbi6Dp-oFaqe5Nd0iAqpnj4vs-LSfAtnmiaPP~BN30pI8X0xmo12yIlOJbwUxlvyT0j5RHsFa5JjkczUSaONSfAfJwKYXV8QEVkGQol1wTK9hGWVJiwPKPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sarasota County School Board, FL","date","2025-06-12T01:07:46.823Z","article","Several public commenters at the June 10 Sarasota County School Board meeting urged the district to restore or clarify explicit anti‑discrimination language in its student code of conduct and to make clear protections for immigrant students against actions that could disrupt attendance and learning.

Deb Hayes, speaking for faith and social‑justice constituencies, urged the board to ensure “protections for individuals’ sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression” are spelled out clearly in district policies. “Being who you are should never make you subject to discrimination,” Hayes said and asked the board to make protections explicit in “every document, policy, and procedure in the district.”

Other public speakers described fear among immigrant families and students. J.T. Pryor, who said he serves a local congregation, described families who have stopped sending children to school because of immigration‑related anxiety and asked the district to ensure students “are provided with legal representation from the district” if a student is served with a warrant. Pryor urged the board to keep schools as sanctuaries where students can “learn, grow and dream without fear.”

Several commenters said a draft change to the student handbook had removed language that explicitly protected students from discrimination on the basis of gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation; one commenter said an item was pulled from the agenda and asked for transparency when it returns. A public commenter summarized the change at length and said she was “glad that the item was pulled from the agenda” and asked the board to provide clear documentation of the staff recommendations and board feedback before the policy returns for consideration.

Superintendent Conner and board members addressed immigration and student privacy during board comments. Conner said the district trains school leaders and staff on how to verify any legal orders and that legal counsel has vetted the district’s protocols. “When it comes to student privacy, we’re strict on FERPA,” Conner said, noting the district limits release of student information to appropriate parties under federal law. He added that the district has processes in place should law enforcement or immigration authorities seek access to students on campus and that, to date, such access had not occurred.

Board members also commented. Ms. Marinelli and others asked for continued reassurance and said the district should keep communicating protocols to the community. Board members said they did not intend to create a policy that tolerated bullying or harassment and that language and presentation of the handbook will be revisited to avoid unintended impressions. One board member said the item had been pulled and would return for further review.

Why it matters: Speakers described real‑world consequences — families keeping children home, student anxiety, and community distrust — tied to how district policies are worded and communicated. The district’s handling of handbook language and its protocols for responding to law enforcement and immigration inquiries are matters that can directly affect attendance, student safety perceptions and legal compliance.

Next steps: The item referenced by speakers was pulled from the agenda; speakers asked the board to provide clear documentation and public feedback when the policy returns. The superintendent said staff will continue to follow FERPA and legal protocols and will present further information to the board as needed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","SCS | Board Meeting - June 10, 2025 3:00 pm","oneSentenceSummary","Public commenters on June 10 urged the Sarasota County School Board to restore clear anti‑discrimination language for sexual orientation and gender identity in district policy and to assure immigrant families that schools remain safe and that legal and privacy protocols will be followed.","taxTitle","Sarasota, School Districts, Florida","taxId",14672,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6204849,"School board accepts $7.5 million Resilient SRQ grant to expand North Port Suncoast Technical College campus",294,1327000,1621000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3777760-37650ae6f457a61729861fc4c7ee6f0c&start=1327&end=1621","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3777760-37650ae6f457a61729861fc4c7ee6f0c/thumbnail_1327000.jpg","/articles/6204849/Sarasota/School-Districts/Florida/School-board-accepts-75-million-Resilient-SRQ-grant-to-expand-North-Port-Suncoast-Technical-College-campus","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6204849-fc90c850ca3a5357cc427339977f6465/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156440&Signature=jNbbaKeB6~keJk2qaNj-wxxqi4uHrGFRlJY1ohk2CM7wzPAB9~eobY9T9bDkT96W3gdQTkFS85oze-V0lTsgP-zdQe7DfEn35vf9-0R1J6PzuZ1lHH0ZzAm9Avs1PaGX2tSJp1uzP00iOwdbG9k8m9Psigkx5vSMIO1B1Ej2U5N4ZTOGKbxyG5hwJYW6FmT8UkpDfelINFoo7ZYkQZgQ0mbBLIFaDuBcRkuSIOwv4CAlT~lPeoNS0DrTohCiPFIlLQvF37fOa7IHg25eKvwy72Pv1pAPGUO1BLGgN36WQvJnZq~ipQQdPyHzEkcuiCRVqGLeckyxUoh53KdD7oXy2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sarasota County School Board on June 10 unanimously approved acceptance of a $7.5 million award from the Sarasota County government Resilient SRQ grant program to expand the North Port campus of Suncoast Technical College.

Superintendent Conner told the board the award was made through the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery fund, which the county allocated to support expansion of lab and shop space for trades programs at the North Port site to help meet local demand for skilled workers. “Back in September, the county government awarded the school district… $7,500,000 to contribute to the expansion of our Northport campus of Suncoast Technical College,” Conner said.

Board member Mr. Edwards moved to accept the award and execute the subrecipient agreement; the motion was seconded by Ms. Marinelli and carried on a voice vote, 5–0. Edwards described the project as “a long coming” community effort that began about four years earlier with a $1 million contribution from the hospital and additional local support. “The hospital put up the million dollars,” Edwards said, and he credited county commissioners and local partners for advancing the project.

Superintendent Conner said the district has secured the award and committed capital funding and is pursuing additional state appropriations to complete the project. “We have all of the funding secured… we’re continuing to request some money from the state,” Conner said, and said an appropriations request is active.

Why it matters: The project is aimed at expanding hands‑on lab space for vocational and technical programs at a time the district and local employers report shortages of skilled workers in construction, health care and similar trades. Board members framed the grant as a community partnership intended to boost South County’s workforce pipeline and local economy.

Meeting action: Motion to accept the $7,500,000 award and execute the subrecipient agreement (Resilient SRQ grant) — motion by Mr. Edwards, second by Ms. Marinelli; vote 5–0 in favor. The board recorded no amendments during the June 10 meeting.

Next steps: Superintendent Conner and staff will execute the subrecipient agreement and continue pursuing additional funds and state appropriations; the board noted capital plan alignment and future project implementation work.","The Sarasota County School Board voted 5‑0 to accept a $7.5 million Resilient SRQ award from Sarasota County to build lab space and expand Suncoast Technical College’s North Port campus for career and technical education.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6204854,"Parents, students urge board to seek affordable options instead of $310 YMCA fee at Gulf Gate Elementary",548,638000,1186000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3777760-37650ae6f457a61729861fc4c7ee6f0c&start=638&end=1186","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3777760-37650ae6f457a61729861fc4c7ee6f0c/thumbnail_638000.jpg","/articles/6204854/Sarasota/School-Districts/Florida/Parents-students-urge-board-to-seek-affordable-options-instead-of-310-YMCA-fee-at-Gulf-Gate-Elementary","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6204854-ee8403a3869a1a83021bfc4e29f56049/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156440&Signature=TJ-fBiCqxSqj3QBuSuVA4G5sj7q5ESBVnv1ewg5JgOsI2wJBYU61ResMuLyfrNc3nw6-UTmF0TvvzN4Nx16WDTQNZBvz4qeQMgdGqupEHeI9mpMSHZrgLRFmZWE1RnyuaD1~zbRywscHDqs~LvBOswv373m-rzV9GHnEwfv~oHegL9qXC-bD~qnCA432eLJ9Rqwlv~QHkoUROYMX8FLWt56l-eiEPHGB3xYgj2RsRapN9voCwocTiybZw49lXpsLCLzgt7nILxo3iDLTmNa7RDkIKEFTlDAjSym871rkwTlwRtj-V6Nxz~1TEzdwrVoGKMPJhn33TFSp1PH8Tg9QeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Speakers at the Sarasota County School Board meeting on June 10 pressed the board to find more affordable before- and after-school care than the $310 monthly fee proposed by an external provider for Gulf Gate Elementary, and urged the district to explore a community schools model instead.

Public commenters said the fee would be unaffordable for many families and cited local economic data to show need. Carol Lerner, a resident who referenced the United Way’s ALICE study, said the study shows it takes about $100,000 a year for a family of four to live in Sarasota and that many local families fall well below that threshold. “ALICE stands for asset limited, income constrained, employed,” Lerner said. She asked the board and Superintendent Conner to form a task force to explore community schools, noting earlier interest from local foundations, nonprofits and arts organizations.

Several student and parent speakers made similar affordability arguments. Alex Dougherty, a rising senior at Suncoast Polytechnical High School, said he supports providing childcare but warned of the cost burden on working families: “I really support and love providing childcare programs but we really need to consider the burden’s deep cost would place on a working family.” Casanova Dougherty told the board the proposed fee “would dump an extra $310 monthly bill on parents for childcare for just a single child,” and said many families at Gulf Gate would struggle: “a school where 55 percent of kids qualify for free or reduced lunch, a whole lot of their parents won’t be able to afford that either.”

Julie Forrester, another public commenter, urged the board to explore community schools as a model that can provide free or lower-cost extended hours and wraparound services. “Community schools offer free childcare. They have extended hours from 7AM to 7PM. They provide wrap‑around services like health care and mental health services and housing support,” Forrester said, and offered community volunteers and outside networks to help plan such programs.

Superintendent Conner listed agenda item 8.1 in his superintendent’s report as the district’s pending agreement with an external provider for pre/post care at Gulf Gate; the item appeared on the meeting agenda but there was no recorded vote on the YMCA contract during the June 10 meeting. Board members acknowledged public concern during comments but did not take a formal vote on 8.1 at this session.

Why it matters: Parents and students tied the affordability issue to academic access and attendance, saying that high care costs can reduce participation and place extra strain on working families. Several speakers framed community schools as a district‑level alternative that could provide more stable, lower‑cost services while leveraging local nonprofits and foundations.

Discussion points raised to the board included the local cost burden for families, the share of Gulf Gate students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, and community willingness to participate in a task force. Board member Liz Barker (referenced by a speaker) was credited by commenters with previously suggesting a task force; several public speakers said they had volunteered to participate.

Next steps mentioned publicly: speakers requested that the board form a task force to study implementing a community schools model, and asked staff to engage with community partners about affordability options. The board did not set or vote on any specific next step on 8.1 at the June 10 meeting.

Community voices who spoke on this topic included parents, students, and long‑time residents who cited local economic data and asked for direct follow‑up from the board and superintendent.","During public comment the Sarasota County School Board heard repeated appeals to avoid placing a $310 monthly pre/post-care fee on families at Gulf Gate Elementary and to form a task force to study the community schools model as a lower-cost alternative.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public urges clearer anti-discrimination language and school protections for immigrant students; board and superintendent reiterate existing protocols

School board accepts $7.5 million Resilient SRQ grant to expand North Port Suncoast Technical College campus

Parents, students urge board to seek affordable options instead of $310 YMCA fee at Gulf Gate Elementary