Booker High Spanish teacher Loridia Urquiza thought she was headed into a parent teacher conference this AM when she was surprised to learn she is ⁦Sarasota Schools⁩ High School Teacher of the Year.

Sarasota Middle Social Studies Teacher Jennifer Jaso learns that she is ⁦Sarasota Schools⁩ Middle School Teacher of the Year on Thursday morning.

.Manatee Schools Charter school founder who resigned unexpectedly in February has landed a new gig as Chief Diversity Officer for the Golden Globes, via Jay Handelman heraldtribune.com/story/news/202…

Harry Kinnan, legendary basketball coach and longtime Manatee Schools board member died yesterday at the age of 80. His brother is more famous coach, but Harry Kinnan brought a championship to Manatee in '80s, then helped spearhead school-choice era. heraldtribune.com/story/news/202…

.Sarasota Schools teachers ask for 6% raise, district offers $2,500 bonus. Both sides playing standard role. Union outraged ("district has more money than Bank of America"), district says they love teachers but can't tap into reserves. Talks = ongoing heraldtribune.com/story/news/loc…

.Sarasota Schools board members ponder how to eliminate foes on the board through redistricting, but attorney says no dice, can't do that. heraldtribune.com/story/news/loc…

Congressional candidate Martin Hyde, who recently hired Roger Stone to be his campaign consultant, and is also endorsed by Michael Flynn, told the Sarasota School Board that he is “thankful that today is ‘free Kyle Rittenhouse’ day!”

A 33 year-old teacher who brought the Special Olympics to Sarasota Schools school for children with disabilities died unexpectedly on Monday. "There was devastation across the entire campus," principal said. heraldtribune.com/story/news/loc…

Florida lawmakers look to make school board candidates run as either Democrats or Republicans heraldtribune.com/story/news/pol…

Terrific story obit by Ryan McKinnon on Wilma Hamilton, a former Sarasota County School Superintendent whose legacy in Florida has endured for nearly 20 years. heraldtribune.com/story/news/202…

#Florida middle school students disciplined for chanting "(expletive) Joe Biden" on the school bus last week, and one student drew a swastika on the bus window heraldtribune.com/story/news/202… via Ryan McKinnon

"I see the passion that she brings to her job. Her love of teaching is coming through. She lives, sleeps and eats history." - Sarasota Middle School Principal Jennifer Nzeza heraldtribune.com/story/news/edu…

Celebrate the Venice Green Wave's state title with photos from Fort Lauderdale. heraldtribune.com/picture-galler…

Florida is attracting police officers from other states, with the number of out-of-state transfers doubling in 2021 compared to prior 4 years. heraldtribune.com/story/news/202…

Two Sarasota Schools teachers fought off a stranger who was trying to break into their 2nd grade classroom. He just kept screaming, ‘They are going to kill me,’” Rylak recalled. “He was foaming at the mouth. He was a big man, maybe 250 pounds.” heraldtribune.com/story/news/loc…

Sarasota teachers union, district reach possible contract deal heraldtribune.com/story/news/202…

.Glenn Davis may have the majority in the House and a governor eager to rethink public education, but it all has to go through L. Louise Lucas. Her criminal justice reform efforts have to go through a GOP controlled house. Time to make deals. pilotonline.com/government/vir…

For The Virginia Mercury: Virginia lawmakers to consider requiring every school to have an SRO. Most middle & high schools do, but some districts eliminated SROs in 2020, while many elementary schools have never had one. virginiamercury.com/2022/01/31/sho…