Florida / School Districts / Sarasota
In the same meeting that saw extended public comment on immigration enforcement, the board approved a revised student-attendance policy, a memorandum of understanding with the sheriff to deputize district police leadership, and recommended financial-literacy instruction materials; some votes were split 3–2.
Florida / School Districts / Sarasota
After more than five hours of public comment—largely from students, parents, teachers and community groups opposing the measure—the Sarasota County School Board voted 3–2 to adopt a resolution reaffirming cooperation with law enforcement, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, while officials said the policy does not change existing legal requirements.
Florida / School Districts / Sarasota
District leaders told the board Jan. 6 that a Barancik Foundation grant and Studer Group partnership have driven a two-year organizational excellence effort focused on service standards, employee engagement and measurable scorecards; staff promised a Feb. 1 training rollout and survey updates in March.
Florida / School Districts / Sarasota
At the Jan. 6 workshop the district outlined a multi-pronged Future Focus plan: reimagining Brookside as a countywide AI/tech magnet (500 survey responses; 71% parent interest among incoming sixth-graders), partnering with USF, Junior Achievement and local nonprofits, phasing K–6 rollups, and a phased $40 million fundraising/capital strategy.
Florida / School Districts / Sarasota
After hours of public comment urging delay and greater transparency, the Sarasota County School Board voted 3–2 on Dec. 16 to advertise revisions to Policy 5.4 (student attendance) for public feedback; the board emphasized teacher discretion for makeup work and said final adoption will come later.
Florida / School Districts / Sarasota
At a required public hearing on recommended 9–12 financial literacy instructional materials, students and parents asked the board for greater transparency — citing missing attachments and password-protected samples — while business and community speakers supported the curriculum; final adoption is scheduled for January.
Florida / School Districts / Sarasota
The board unanimously approved a $3.5 million contract with Matthews Buses to buy 14 standard buses and six Lyft buses for students with disabilities to replace aging vehicles; superintendent said some older buses will be removed from rotation.
Florida / School Districts / Sarasota
Studer Group trainers led the session and the district speaker said the organizational‑excellence effort is funded by the Baranski Foundation; trainers traced the method’s roots to Quint Studer’s healthcare work adapted for education.
Florida / School Districts / Sarasota
Sarasota County Schools held a 'train-the-trainer' service‑excellence session where Studer Group trainers demonstrated tactics — 5/10 greetings, a 60‑second acknowledgement and AIDET‑style scripts — provided manuals and assigned trainers to take the program into departments; materials will be emailed and sessions recorded.
Florida / School Districts / Sarasota
Superintendent Connor told a community town hall that Florida's new school start-time law (effective Aug. 2026) requires middle schools to begin after 8:00 a.m. and high schools after 8:30 a.m.; he recommended keeping Sarasota's three-tier model (roughly 7:30/8:30/9:30) with limited shifts for about nine schools.