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Sarasota board recognizes 35 PBIS model schools, names Pine View platinum and showcases Taylor Ranch
Summary
The school board honored 35 schools for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), highlighted Pine View School’s first‑time platinum recognition and heard a presentation from Taylor Ranch Elementary about student achievement and community engagement.
The Sarasota County School Board recognized 35 district schools for their implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) during its March 11 meeting and spotlighted Taylor Ranch Elementary School’s programs and student achievements.
District administrators told the board that 35 schools earned model‑school PBIS status for the 2023–24 school year: 19 bronze, 13 silver, 2 gold and 1 platinum. Pine View School received the district’s lone platinum recognition; the board noted Pine View is the only magnet school in the state to receive that honor this year and one of 16 platinum schools statewide. Pine View’s principal, Dr. Steven Covert, described the award as “a testament to everyone’s commitment to making it possible.”
Superintendent Connor and district staff also presented March programs celebrating arts education. Angela Hardvigson briefed the board on Arts in Our Schools Month activities and highlighted student ensembles and recent awards, including straight superior ratings for some ensembles at statewide assessments.
Taylor Ranch Elementary Principal Tara Spielman presented a school showcase. Spielman told the board that Taylor Ranch has been an A‑rated school since district grading began and reported current enrollment of 889 students. She highlighted program offerings including three autism classrooms, an ESE pre‑K, Spanish language instruction and a VPK classroom. Spielman said the school’s first VPK cohort of 18 students performed strongly on early literacy PM2 assessments (85 percent), with 64 percent scoring level 4 or 5.
Board members praised the schools and student performers, including the Woodland Middle School Jazz Ensemble, which played at the meeting and received straight superior ratings at a recent jazz assessment. Superintendent Connor and board members used the recognitions to emphasize district priorities in student behavior, the arts and academic growth.
