Following intensive deliberations and based on forecasts from the Tampa Bay – Ruskin office of the National Weather Service, the School District of Manatee County and Sarasota County Schools will hold school as regularly scheduled today, Tuesday, September 3.

School District of Manatee County Superintendent Cynthia Saunders and Sarasota County Schools Superintendent Todd Bowden have been in communication with each other through the weekend as well as with superintendents in other southwest Florida school districts. Both Bowden and Saunders ultimately agreed that schools should be open for the following reasons: Emergency Management Operations in both counties de-escalated activity on Saturday, August 31, without opening a shelter in either county; forecasts from the National Weather Service office in Ruskin since Saturday have consistently stated that the expected impact on southwest Florida counties is expected to be “minimal”; while wind levels may be elevated, they are not expected to come close to standards required to impact school bus transportation services; and thunderstorm activity in both counties is expected to be typical for this time of year.

Students in either county who are kept home tomorrow due to Hurricane Dorian will be able to receive an excused absence.

Schools in both Manatee and Sarasota Counties will open and close at their regular times, transportation will function as usual and after school activities, athletics and aftercare will operate as previously scheduled.

School District of Manatee County