School District of Manatee County: An Overview

The School District of Manatee County is a rapidly growing, intermediate-size district with a long tradition of excellence in academics and athletics. The district educates children from Pre-K through 12th grade. With an enrollment of over 40,000 students and 4,500 employees, the district boasts a culturally and linguistically diverse student body and staff.

Demographics and Student Body

The student body at the schools served by the School District of Manatee County is diverse. The district’s minority enrollment is 60%. The racial and ethnic makeup is as follows:

43.3% White
12.1% Black or African American
2.1% Asian or Asian/Pacific Islander
37.2% Hispanic/Latino
0.1% American Indian or Alaska Native
0.1% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
5.1% Two or more races
0% Not specified

Furthermore, the student population is nearly evenly split by gender, with 49% female and 51% male students. A significant portion of the student body, 41.9%, are economically disadvantaged and eligible to participate in the federal free and reduced price meal program.

Schools within the District

The School District of Manatee County operates a total of 82 schools, including:

43 elementary schools
9 middle schools
6 high schools
A variety of charter schools and alternative schools
Two adult education centers

The majority of the schools are new or updated, reflecting the district's commitment to providing modern learning environments. The district is planning to build three elementary schools and a new middle school within the next two years. All schools have state-of-the-art technology, and curriculum that is aligned with the standards of the state of Florida.

List of Preschools in the School District of Manatee County

Anna Maria Elementary School, located at 4700 Gulf Dr, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
Annie Lucy Williams Elementary School, located at 3404 Fort Hamer Rd, Parrish, FL 34219
B.D. Gullett Elementary School, located at 12125 44Th Ave E, Bradenton, FL 34211
Ballard Elementary School, located at 912 18Th St W, Bradenton, FL 34205
Barbara A Harvey Elementary School, located at 8610 115Th Ave E, Parrish, FL 34219

Teachers and Staff

As of the 2023-2024 school year, School District of Manatee County had 3,107.03 full-time classroom teachers. Within School District of Manatee County, 93.4% of teachers are licensed. The student-to-teacher ratio is lower than the state average, at 17:1. To support students' well-being, the district employs 85 full-time counselors.

Academic Performance

Proficiency measurements are established by the states. In School District of Manatee County, test scores indicate the following:

49% of elementary students tested at or above the proficient level for reading
54% of elementary students tested at or above the proficient level for math
45% of middle school students tested at or above the proficient level for reading
49% of middle school students tested at or above the proficient level for math
46% of high school students tested at or above the proficient level for reading
46% of high school students tested at or above the proficient level for math

The high school graduation rate is 100.0%, and the high school college readiness is 24.7.

Finances

School District of Manatee County spends $10,354 per student each year. It has an annual revenue of $712,445,000.

School Board

The School District of Manatee County school board consists of five members elected to four-year terms. Three of the five seats on the School District of Manatee County school board in Florida are up for general election on November 3, 2026. A primary is scheduled for August 18, 2026.

The Board recognizes the value of school governance through public comment on educational issues and the importance of allowing members of the public to express themselves on school matters of community interest during Board meetings and workshops. The rules of public comment apply to Board business meetings and workshops. If the Board travels or participates in joint workshops the public comment rules are deferred to the host district. Members of the public shall be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard before the Board.

Rules for Public Comment at School Board Meetings

A School Board meeting is a business meeting of the Board and is conducted in an orderly, efficient, effective, and dignified manner. Public comments related to education and the District are welcome and encouraged. A public comment opportunity is not, however, an open forum to discuss matters unrelated to education, to support or oppose candidates for public office, or to engage in commercial speech attempting to sell a service or product to the Board or public. Also, public comment is not a forum to engage in personal attacks against school system employees or Board members. Any such complaints should be submitted in writing to the Superintendent for appropriate handling. Finally, issues involving individual students shall not be brought up in a public forum. Because of privacy concerns, such issues should be submitted in writing to the Superintendent for appropriate handling.

For purposes of the policy, a proposition is an action item taken before the Board for a vote. It does not include items on such as reports, updates, recognitions, Superintendent comments, Board comments, or similar items on the agenda. This policy does not prohibit the Board from maintaining orderly conduct or proper decorum in a public meeting, according to F.S. A.

Each statement made by a member of the public shall be limited to three (3) minutes duration. You have no more than three minutes to speak.

WARNING: Any individual who interferes with the expeditious or orderly process of a Board meeting pursuant to F.S. 1001.372(3) at the discretion of the Chair.

Read also: Your Guide to Ocean County College

Leadership

Jason Wysong is the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County. Wysong was appointed superintendent on July 3, 2023. Cynthia Saunders was the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County from June 28, 2018 until 2023.

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