Wrapping up the year...and presents!

Hello Patch Readers! As this is getting ready to send, the schedule has not slowed at the School Board Office. There is a budget workshop today that covers four department areas and we pick up materials for next week's Board meeting. December 12th is the last Board meeting of 2011.

You can expect budget items to be slated for early 2012 as well as a workshop on the School Improvement Plan. This document is about 1,000 pages of information from each school. A discussion concerning what is working well and what are the areas of concern will help the Board review programs and plan for the future. As budgets contract it is most important to prioritize spending. This information will be helpful in planning and will give us a look at where each school stands on education.

For many readers, this is Holiday Time and planning is around friends and family. Education and schools are so much a part of our community and that was never more clear than on a beautiful winter night at The Manatee High School Centennial Celebration! An event that united generations who have been part of The Manatee High School history. The role of a teacher and student and how that impacts the future was as clear as the sky and stars shining. What a night and my personal favorite was the original music piece which was written by a former alumni student, Robert Sheldon and played for the first time on December 3, 2011. The title is Resurgences and may that music and meaning guide us in a resurgence of what is most important and guide us in all decisions for education in Manatee County.

Wishing you all a healthy and happy holiday time with your friends and family!

Julie Aranibar, Manatee County School Board