Schools and Education School Board Member, Former MTC Director Mary Cantrell Passes

BRADENTON — Manatee School Board member Dr. Mary Cantrell passed away Sunday at the age of 71. Cantrell, who had reportedly been battling bone marrow cancer, passed at a hospice facility in Pinellas County.

Born and raised in Texas, Cantrell studied at the University of North Texas, where she received her bachelor's in education, before earning her masters in the same field at USF and a doctorate from the same university in career/technical education.

Dr. Mary Cantrell

Prior to her successful campaign for school board, Cantrell was executive director of Manatee Technical College for eighteen years. At the end of the 2013-2014 school year, the district under then-Superintendent Rick Mills chose to not renew her contract. That choice helped spur Cantrell to run in the 2014 election.

The Bradenton Herald has reported that Cantrell suffered from bone marrow cancer since last year. Reportedly diagnosed prior to deciding to run for Julie Aranibar's school board seat, her decision to declare, made with her doctor's blessing, led to a win that saw her gain 53.5 percent of the voters' share.

In a joint statement released Sunday, Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene and School Board Chair Bob Gause said the following:

“Dr. Mary Cantrell spent close to five decades as a professional educator, including 18 years as the Director of Manatee Technical College, although it was known for most of her tenure as Manatee Technical Institute. Her passion for technical, career and adult education and her devotion to excellence among students and staff transformed MTC into one of the premier technical educational centers in the nation. Her enthusiasm and pursuit of achievement began the tradition that has resulted in MTC students winning more medals at the national SkillsUSA competition than any other technical school in the country – a streak that has recently been extended to 11-straight years.

“Since November 2014, Dr. Cantrell served as an elected member of the School Board of Manatee County. Although her time on the School Board was short, she was a contributing member and as always she was devoted to the education of the students she loved.

“The main hall at the beautiful new MTC campus on State Road 70 is named in Dr. Cantrell’s honor, and it is a fitting tribute to help us remember and follow the legacy she has left behind. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.”

Cantrell's replacement on the school board will be appointed by the governor. Because she did not complete half of her scheduled four-year term, it will be an interim appointment with a race held at the next regularly-scheduled election, which will be in August of 2016, to determine who will fulfill the final two years of the term.