(BRADENTON, FL - October 7, 2008) Friday, October 17, 2008 will be used as a make-up day for Manatee District Schools to account for the closing of District schools on Tuesday, August 19, 2008. Schools in Manatee County were closed August 19th due to the threat of Tropical Storm Fay. The make-up day is necessary because Florida statutes require schools to be open for students 180 days during a school year.

Originally, Friday, October 17th was scheduled as a Record Day for District teachers and students were going to be out of school. However, after consultation with the Manatee Education Association in which a majority of teachers polled indicated a preference for the October 17th make-up date, District officials made a decision to move the Record Day to Saturday, October 18, 2008. Teachers will work that day, but will have the option to work from home if they do not need to use their classrooms. Teachers who do need to go to their classrooms or schools will have access. Principals at each school will work with teachers and staff to accommodate the needs of their faculties.

Students and parents will be notified of the make-up day in a variety of ways. Information about the make-up day will be posted at each school site and on the School District´s website at www.manateeschools.net. In addition, Connect-Ed phone messages will be sent directly to parents by individual schools and by the main District office. District officials also welcome the help of local and regional media outlets in informing parents and students of this change in the school calendar.