How Florida's Schools of Hope impacts Manatee County schools

A controversial new Florida law has expanded the state's "Schools of Hope" program, allowing charter schools to co-locate in public school facilities that are underused or underperforming.

Several private charter school companies have already expressed interest in taking over parts of local public schools in Manatee County under the new law. It's also shaping how school district officials plan future schools.

NO. 1: ‘OVER MY DEAD BODY.’ MANATEE SCHOOLS PREPARE TO BATTLE CHARTER TAKEOVER PLANS

Two Manatee County school facilities are targets in a large charter school company’s rush to take over dozens of underused schools across the state. | Published October 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Carter Weinhofer, Josh Salman, Derek Gilliam

A logo of the Manatee County School District on a bookshelf at the administration building.

NO. 2: HOW A CONTROVERSIAL FLORIDA LAW IS SHAPING MANATEE’S PLANS FOR NEW HIGH SCHOOL

A controversial new Florida law is driving Tthe School District of Manatee County’s plans to open its newest high school in phases starting in 2027. | Published November 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Carter Weinhofer

Mater Academy Inc., a Miami-based charter, sent the notices to the School District of Manatee County on Wednesday, hoping to leverage the state’s “Schools of Hope” law to use the schools as “co-location” sites. One of the organization's targets is Lincoln Memorial Middle School in Palmetto. By Tiffany Tompkins

NO. 3: CHARTER SCHOOL COMPANIES TARGET MANATEE SCHOOL FACILITIES UNDER NEW STATE LAW

Two charter school companies submitted letters to the School District of Manatee County indicating interest in taking over district facilities under a new state law. | Published November 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Carter Weinhofer

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.