Sarasota County Schools is proud to announce that Mr. Russell Dennison has been selected as the district’s overall 2026 School-Related Employee of the Year. Mr. Dennison has served as a Bus Driver for Sarasota County Schools’ Transportation department for the past eight years. Mr. Dennison is the first and the last school district team member that the children on his school bus interact with each day. His kindness has the power to help his students start off the day with strength and a smile. His attention to detail, compassion, and commitment to safety, among other skills, ensures that students have a pleasant and safe ride home to recount the highlights of the school day with their loved ones.  As the award recipient for Sarasota County, Mr. Dennison is now eligible for the overall state-level recognition. Please join us in congratulating Mr. Russell Dennison and all of our 2026 School-Related Employees of the Year: