Miller Elementary third-grade teacher
Stacy Morris reads to her students.

(BRADENTON, FL - August 24, 2007) The district's fleet of bright yellow school buses was on the road early on Monday, August 20, 2007 as more than 42,000 students and 7,000 employees embarked on a brand new school year in Manatee County

“I visited nine schools on opening day and I was encouraged and pleased to see that all areas were running very well,” said Superintendent Dr. Roger Dearing. “I want to thank all of our employees for their hard work and dedication. Their efforts made this safe and successful start to the new school year possible.”

Three new schools - Annie Lucie Williams Elementary, B.D. Gullett Elementary and Buffalo Creek Elementary - opened their doors for the first time on opening day as the district continues to add classrooms to catch up with the county's growth and to meet the increasing standards of Florida's Class-Size Amendment.

Students line up to receive text
books at Manatee High School.

Horizon's Academy, an alternative school for students who need additional attention outside of the traditional classroom setting, also moved into a newly finished facility this year. In addition, the students and staff at Miller Elementary moved into a completely rebuilt school and four other schools - Blackburn Elementary, Manatee Elementary, Palma Sola Elementary and Sea Breeze Elementary - opened their doors for the first time after significant renovations and additions had been completed. The students and staff at Daughtrey Elementary are also expected to move into a brand new building in September.

The start of the school year also marked the introduction of the district's modified instructional week, which is designed to improve schools by increasing instruction time for students and planning time for teachers.

Miller Elementary music teacher
Judy Kelley leads students in a song.

Under the new schedule, high schools begin at 7:45 a.m. each day and end at 2:20 p.m. every day except Wednesday. On Wednesday, high school students are dismissed at 12:30 p.m.

Middle schools begin at 9:15 a.m. each day and end at 3:55 p.m. every day except Wednesday. On Wednesday, high school students are dismissed at 2:10 p.m.

Elementary schools begin at 8:30 a.m. each day and end at 3:05 p.m. every day except Wednesday. On Wednesday, high school students are dismissed at 1:15 p.m.