School starts again in just over a week, and it’s a busy time for families. Stocking up on classroom supplies, scrutinizing bus routes, scheduling haircuts, trying to squeeze in one last moment of fun before the bell rings… these last few days of summer can be a chaotic, but exciting time for both kids and parents.

But for many local students and educators, summer wasn’t just a chance to rest and recharge. Instead, these past months have given them an opportunity to learn, grow and prepare for the year ahead.

That’s important, because many students in our area are falling behind in their reading skills. The state of Florida measures students’ literacy level on a scale of one to five, with three defined as performing at one’s grade level. In Sarasota County, one out of every three third-graders is falling short of that standard, and in neighboring counties, the numbers are even more troubling. According to the most recent data, 40 percent of students in Charlotte County, 48 percent in Manatee County and 58 percent in DeSoto County are falling behind.

Summer literacy programs supported by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and other funders are working to change that by helping both students and teachers. This summer, that work began in June, not long after the school year ended, when the Sarasota County school district hosted its second annual Literacy for All Institute, funded in part through our foundation’s Strauss Literacy Initiative.

The intensive two-day event brought together more than 200 educators and administrators and featured respected national figures like Diane Sweeney, author of The Essential Guide for Student-Centered Coaching. The goal? To share best practices in how to help struggling readers catch up and how to better integrate the work of literacy interventionists and literacy coaches into the everyday work that happens in classrooms.

Literacy interventionists offer crucial support to students who are underperforming in their reading by providing specific individualized assistance to help close the achievement gap between them and their peers. Literacy coaches, meanwhile, collaborate with classroom teachers to make sure that lesson plans are designed to maximize their impact on students’ reading ability. School leaders, in turn, are tasked with integrating all of these various learning strategies to make sure that underperforming students can reach their full potential.

Summer learning continued for students, too. Complementing the support for instructors, students worked on their reading skills thanks to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties’ slate of summertime programs. Among other investments, the Strauss Literacy Initiative allowed the clubs to hire Sarasota County teachers to work with more than 170 members on their reading skills as part of summer camp at the clubs. The educators designed fun, interactive lessons based on strategies used in the classroom during school, connecting the students’ summertime learning to the instruction they receive during the rest of the year.

Of course, these sessions were just one part of a busy day for club members, which included a variety of fun and important activities like swimming lessons, art and STEM projects, educational games and socializing, and members were even able to receive mental health support and enjoy healthy meals. The Boys & Girls Clubs are a key partner for the Community Foundation because of their emphasis on supporting whole families.

Add all of that summer work up and it means that when the doors open next week and students rush in to find their seat, both they and their teachers will be ready to take their reading to the next level.

Kirsten Russell is Vice President of Community Impact, The Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

Photo courtesy of The Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

Policymaking is rarely simple—and this year’s Florida legislative session was no exception. Originally scheduled for 60 days, the session stretched to an exhausting 105 days, resulting in a delayed budget and far-reaching policy decisions that will impact communities across the state.

One of the most significant outcomes was the revised education budget, which allocates over $29 billion to K‑12 public education—a modest increase of $945 million (approximately 1.6%) over the previous year. Per-student funding also rose by $142.74, bringing the total to $9,130. However, the extended session pushed final budget decisions beyond the typical July 1 start date, disrupting local planning efforts. While the delay caused understandable concern, our local Superintendent is already taking proactive steps to address the potential ripple effects.

In addition to the budget, several policy decisions will have lasting consequences for Florida’s public education system. Most notably, the continued expansion of charter schools and private school vouchers remains a central focus of state education policy. These shifts carry significant implications for traditional public schools and the communities they serve.

To unpack these developments, I recently spoke with District 73 Representative Fiona McFarland on the Education Conversations podcast. It was a thoughtful and candid discussion in which we explored several key policy issues—including House Bill 5101 and its companion, Senate Bill 2510—which initially proposed reducing state funding for accelerated learning programs in K‑12 schools. Rep. McFarland shared that she received a high volume of calls from concerned constituents on this issue, a reminder that engaged citizens can and do make a difference. Ultimately, a compromise was reached, as is often the case in policymaking, and it will be important to watch how these changes unfold at the local level.

As I mentioned in the conversation, policy change is rarely straightforward. It’s multilayered, iterative, and often difficult to track in real time. Fortunately, there are resources available to help residents understand what’s happening—and what it means for our schools.

I encourage all Sarasota residents to stay informed and engaged, especially on issues that affect public education. You can start by tuning in to the latest episode of Education Conversations, where we continue to break down complex policies and elevate community voices. The Education Foundation is here to support you in navigating these changes and staying connected to the issues that matter most.

Jennifer Vigne is the President and CEO of the Education Foundation of Sarasota County. 

On a balmy Tuesday evening in July, nearly 100 local artists, creatives, and cultural leaders gathered at 99 Bottles in downtown Sarasota for a summer social hosted by the Arts and Cultural Alliance. What we anticipated as a casual meetup quickly became a vibrant hub of conversation, reconnection, and possibility.

We weren’t sure how many would show. Summers in Southwest Florida are notoriously slow and scorching, we had modest expectations. But the turnout exceeded all hope. The cozy, beloved bar was filled wall to wall with painters, performers, producers, curators, administrators, and arts lovers alike. The energy was electric.

As the designated convener of Sarasota County’s arts and culture community, the Arts and Cultural Alliance embraces the role of connector, sometimes through formal initiatives and strategic planning, and other times, like this summer social, through informal, joy-filled gatherings. In a time when so much of our connection happens online, coming together in person reminds us of a simple truth: art flourishes in community. When artists, creatives, and cultural workers gather across disciplines, backgrounds, and perspectives, we plant the seeds for collaboration, mentorship, advocacy, and inspiration. This desire to connect, even in the quiet heat of summer, foreshadows the vibrant energy and creative momentum the Alliance is preparing to usher in as the season shifts.

The Arts and Cultural Alliance believes that community doesn’t happen by accident, it’s built intentionally, through spaces where people feel seen, supported, and inspired. Events like this are not just fun, they’re vital. They help bridge gaps between independent artists and institutions, between established professionals and emerging voices, between creators and those who champion the arts behind the scenes.

The arts are essential to Sarasota County. They animate our economy, enrich our education, and bring us together across differences. But sustaining a vibrant arts community means more than producing great work, it means cultivating the relationships that make that work possible. Spaces to share ideas, offer encouragement, spark partnerships, and simply feel the joy of belonging.

Given the enthusiasm and feedback from this summer social, we’re excited to explore the idea of making these gatherings more regular. Imagine what could grow from consistent, inclusive connection. Imagine what we could create, together.

Whether you're an artist, performer, administrator, educator, advocate, or simply someone who loves the arts—these gatherings are for you. We’re all part of the same creative community, and what better way to build fellowship than by sharing space, stories, and maybe a drink or two. If you joined us, thank you. If you missed it, we hope to see you next time. Let us know how often you’d like to gather and what kinds of events you’d love to see through this short survey here.

Because when we gather, we grow, individually and collectively. Let’s keep showing up for each other.

Brian Hersh is the Chief Executive Officer of the Arts and Cultural Alliances for Sarasota County.

Pictured: A full house at the Arts Alliance x 99 Bottles Summer Social! Nearly 100 local artists, creatives, and community members gathered for an evening of connection, proving once again that Sarasota's arts scene thrives year-round.