Will your student attend a different Manatee school? Changes are coming, officials say

As Manatee County schools become more crowded, district officials plan to address concerns by building new schools and redrawing school boundaries.

At a recent School Board workshop, Superintendent Jason Wysong said the district needs to redraw school boundaries because of rising student enrollment, crowded schools and rapid development. He said the changes would not take effect until the 2026-27 school year.

“If we go through this process, we don’t want to put people through this and then be back here in 24 months saying, ‘Let’s do it again,’” Wysong said. “Ideally, whatever decisions we make have some staying power.”

But the changes will force some students and parents to adjust their routines as the new schools open and the district begins reassigning children to different schools to address capacity concerns.

Overall, there are more than 54,000 students in the district this year, officials say. That’s 5,000 more students than the 2020-21 school year, according to Florida Department of Education data.

Sixteen schools, including Harvey Elementary School, Sugg Middle School and Parrish Community High School, are at or over capacity.

School officials also plan to build several new schools over the next several years. The district expects to open two K-8 schools in August, two elementary schools in August 2026 and a high school in August 2027.

As local housing development continues at a rapid pace, district officials say the new schools will be built in the northern and eastern parts of Manatee County.

School board members said the district is committed to explaining the process clearly so that parents, students and teachers know what to expect.

“This is one of those things that I’ll have sleepless nights over because it’s that important to me that we get it right,” School Board Member Cindy Spray said.

How to learn more

The district will host a series of five meetings in March to explain how the rezoning process works and seek resident feedback. Here’s the meeting schedule:

• March 3, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Braden River High School, 6445 State Road 70 E., Bradenton
• March 5, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Parrish Community High School, 7505 Fort Hamer Road, Parrish
• March 6, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Palmetto High School, 1200 17th St. W., Palmetto

• March 7, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Lakewood Ranch High School, 5500 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch

• March 12, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Southeast High School, 1200 37th Ave. E., Bradenton

Residents can also share their concerns, questions or ideas through a form on the district’s website.

District officials say they will present at least three rezoning plans for discussion at a school board meeting later this year.