LWV Manatee County School Board Notes: 10/7/25

The League of Women Voters of Manatee County Education Issues Committee observes the Manatee County School Board meetings for items of interest to citizens and the League and notes adherence, or lack of adherence, to good governance procedures and the sunshine laws. The following are the key points from the school board meeting held on October 7, 2025. 

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Chair Choate, followed by the reading of the district vision by Ms. Spray with Pastor Ramos, West Bradenton Baptist Church, providing the invocation in both English and Spanish. Chair Choate led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Student Celebrations

Hispanic Heritage Month 

Debra Estes, Director of ESOL and Dual Language, shared activities occurring to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 through October 15. She indicated that Florida Statute 1003.42 requires this. Ms. Estes described three Florida DOE sponsored activities including an essay contest for 4-12 graders, an art contest for K-3, and an Excellence in Education Award for teachers. She reported that nearly 40% of Manatee School District’s students are Hispanic. Many schools have celebrated with campus wide activities bringing the school community together. A video highlighted an English speaking second grader describing her worksheet in Spanish in a dual language classroom at Braden River Elementary. Another video featured a teacher from Spain using a song to draw together the class’s attention. Mr. Kennedy clarified that in dual language classrooms in four of the elementary schools, both English native speakers and Spanish native speakers spend half the day receiving instruction in English and half the day receiving instruction in Spanish.

Public Comments – There were three public comments.

MJ requested that the School Board vote no on the item to approve travel of Ms. Spray and Mr. Choate to Tallahassee for the designation of Senator Boyd as Senate President. She stated that “as a taxpayer, I can see no direct or even indirect correlation between this particular event and education, school policies or the duties of the school board members.” If they wish to attend, she said, they should pay their own way.

MH stressed that school safety is the most important thing and referenced the recent local arrest of a substitute that had been arrested four months ago in Brevard County. He stated he thought there was a total lack of accountability and appropriate processes. He stated there should be a full background check on every member and if they have a legal right to work in the US; they should terminate the contract with the agency who sent this person as a substitute; and review the school board policy to allow to hire full time substitutes to float where needed.  

KW represented Veterans Service Organizations saying one of their pillars is Youth and Student Services such as the American Legion oratorical contest and Boys/Girls State. He encouraged the School Board and district to encourage Principals to have high school and middle school students participate in the Voice of Democracy contest with the topic of how they are showing patriotism and support for the country.

Reports and Presentations 

Audit Committee Quarterly Report to the School Board. Jim Daniels, Chairman of the Audit Committee provided an update of current activities including welcoming a new member, receipt of CRI’s finished last report, and plans for RSM to engage in their work. One project is for them to audit the purchasing procedures and money being spent to construct AAA High School. Mr. Daniel asked for one change in the new charter on the agenda today to add the word “comprehensive” in one line of the proposed charter. He indicated the Annual Final Report should be back to the School Board after the committee’s December meeting. A brief discussion of the project to look at AAA High School’s costs followed and agreement seemed to be achieved to move forward with that project.  

Purvis Gray Presentation of the School Internal Accounts Audit Report. A Purvis Gray representative reported that the internal accounts at each of the school sites has been conducted. It was a smooth audit and all accounts are clean. The Auditor General’s report had no findings of incidents of fraud, waste, or abuse. The funds raised ($10.28 million) were spent appropriately and fully ($10.29 million) to support the designated activities.

2025-2026 FAST Progress Monitoring 1 (PM1) Assessment Results. Deputy Superintendent of Instruction Jensen and Evan McCarthy, Director of Accountability, Assessment and Research, provided the results of the this first assessment in ELA and Math that serves as a starting point for the school year. Mr. McCarthy provided information about how parents can see their student’s results in the FOCUS Parent Portal. Mr. Jensen indicated that at almost every level, the percentage of students scoring at level 3 or higher in both subjects has improved over last year’s PM1. All were reminded that the PM1 assesses students on curriculum that has not yet been taught to get a baseline of where students are starting. Mr. Jensen attributed the improved success of K-2 students to the commitment the School Board has made to early learning. He outlined the next steps to continue supporting schools and teachers including literacy and instructional coaches as well as ongoing data analysis and planning at classroom, school, and district levels. [LWV Note: Link to presentation here.] 

Consent Items: - Thirty-one items were approved 5-0.

New Business (Non-Consent Items)

Approval of Advertising a Notice of Intent to Amend School Board Policies and Setting a Public Hearing at the Board Meeting on December 2, 2025 (General Fund). Dr. Breslin asked Mr. Chapman to give a summary. There are four policies being updated. Three are due to statutory requirements. Approved 5-0. [LWV note – Link to Policies here.]

Approval of the District’s School Internal Accounts Audit Report as of and for the Year Ended June 30, 2025 (No Financial Impact). This references the report provided earlier by Purvis Gray. Approved 5-0.

Approval of Use of the Duval County Public Schools Contract No. 09-24/DB for Substitute Teaching Employment Services, SDMC 26-0070-TG, Estimated in the Amount of $5,225,000.00 Annually (Multiple Funding Sources). This item was pulled from the Consent Agenda to discuss the recent arrest of a substitute teacher for an incident at one of the elementary schools. This individual had been arrested in Brevard County four months prior. Concerns were expressed about the background checking procedures used by the contracted service that provided this person. Discussion centered around the fact that the arrest had been for a misdemeanor that would not have shown up on any background check as they are currently done in the district and in the state. Ms. Spray acknowledged that the contract is needed but wanted it to be for one year while they determined if the back ground check process was adequate. Mr. Kennedy reminded everyone that the district has a self-reporting policy within 24 hours of an arrest of any kind. Superintendent Breslin stated she has asked for an internal HR review to look at all systems and that everyone working within the system will go through fingerprinting again per state requirements. Mr. Choate indicated that supporting the contract does not mean what happened is supported.  Dr. Breslin thanked the sheriff’s department for acting immediately and notifying the district. The young girl student who reported the incident was commended for her action of reporting the incident. Approved 5-0. 

Old Business (No Superintendent Recommendation)

Approval of Travel Expense Associated with the School Board Member Choate and Spray’s Attendance at the 2025 Designation of Senator Jim Boyd as President of the Senate, located in Tallahassee, Florida, Not To Exceed $1700 (General Fund) – added after publishing. Approved 3-2 with Mr. Tatem and Ms. Felton dissenting.

One public comment was made on this item by a student who had taken the day off from school to express his opinion about this as a misappropriation of tax payers’ dollars for a political event that does not improve the schools. He pointed to concerns in the lack of maintenance in bathrooms in his school where the money could be better spent, and the fact that many teachers work two jobs and still must pay for essential school supplies.  

This item had been tabled at the last meeting to allow time for the attorneys to opine. While Mr. Dye, School Board Attorney, and Mr. Pendley, District Counsel, both agreed spending general funds for this travel for this purpose is not illegal, there were differences of opinion among School Board Members as to whether it was appropriate. Mr. Tatem felt that since this was an event put on by the Republican Party and therefore it was specifically partisan, district funds should not be spent. He stated he planned to attend, but would pay his own way. Ms. Felton wondered if this were an event sponsored by the other party, if those favoring this would feel the same way. Mr. Choate, Mr. Kennedy, and Ms. Spray agreed that this is an opportunity to build and maintain political relationships. Ms. Spray mentioned that she has made appointments with lawmakers while she is in Tallahassee. Mr. Kennedy felt the criticism was valid but since it was not a lot of money, and Senator Boyd is a local man, attending is important to relationship building. Mr. Choate said they were only invited because of the position they hold as School Board Members and even if it was for a Democrat, he would still go.

New Business (No Superintendent Recommendation)

Approval of Proposed Revisions to the New Audit Committee Charter. The word suggested by Mr. Daniel, Chair of the Audit Committee, was added to read, “accepts its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).” Approved 5-0.

Approval of the 2026 School Board of Manatee County Legislative Priorities. Discussion resulted in suggested additions including: a request for clarity in statute as to when the Tax Collector is entitled to a commission on a voter approved millage referendum; advocacy for stronger background checks; all district-owned property be a gun-free zone; reevaluate FISH (Florida Inventory of School Houses) reporting; and, requests for state support for additional Soar In 4 Labs.  

Updates 

Instruction 

Mr. Jensen, Deputy Superintendent for Instruction, highlighted various arts events including choir and orchestra as well as upcoming trips of elementary students to see middle and high school musical performances. He acknowledged the September 19 Soar In 4 Lab ribbon cutting and open house. Instructional leadership teams continue to visit schools to learn about initiatives. Mr. Jensen announced that Brooks Harper will hold high school assemblies for high school seniors to focus on life after high school and he will be at middle schools after the new year. High school seniors will tour USF Manatee-Sarasota on Fridays. On October 25 at Palmetto High School there will be an Early Literacy Symposium for K-3 teachers. October 10 is the end of first quarter, with teacher record day on Monday, October 13. October 17 and 24 will be early release days for elementary students.  

Operations

Mr. Willie Clark, Interim Deputy Superintendent for Operations, reported the outcome of the Operations Job Fair on September 18 and Teacher/Para Job Fair on September 25 resulting in offers, new hires, and pools for principal interviews. Employee Heath and Wellness Fair will be on October 13 at Braden River High School from 11-3:30 to include benefit vendors and free screenings. The state review of food for childcare done every three-years had no findings. Transportation is fully staffed with 108 bus drivers and with five more positions approved this will help with routing, on time performance and field trips. October 20-24 is National School Bus Safety Week. Last Sunday was “Stuff the Bus” and Mr. Clark thanked the community for their donations going to the food banks in Manatee County. Regarding rezoning, feedback has been gathered on the multiple maps for the various levels and the information gathered is now being condensed into one map for each grade level. This should be finished by the end of October, then a November workshop with the Board and gathering community feedback, with a recommendation to the School Board in December.  

Legal

Mr. Dye, School Board Attorney, announced the October 15 closing on Taylor Ranch is on schedule. The Neal-Jones Farm closing scheduled for the end of the month may be delayed as discussions continue regarding additional property. The Attorney General’s opinion regarding the Tax Collector’s claim for a commission on the millage tax is not out yet. Mr. Dye encouraged School Board members to contact Mr. Burton to speed up the process and to put funds in an interest-bearing account while the issue is pending.

Superintendent Remarks

Dr. Breslin announced that this is School Principal Month and indicated she has visited schools and was at Palmetto High School giving out Perfect Score Certificates for last spring’s tests. There were 187 students district wide who achieved a perfect score. She attended the ESE Art Show at the library at State College of Florida organized by Jodi O’Meara. She highlighted that $1.9 million in grants was approved among the consent items. Dr. Breslin acknowledged the tentative bargaining agreement with teachers. She congratulated Mote Marine on their new facility. She thanked everyone for their support during her first month as Superintendent.

Board Comments 

Ms. Felton said she was a judge at the ESE Art Show open until October 23 at SCF’s Library, and encouraged everyone to go. She appreciated the support in travel for the FSBA training and she now has her credential as a Certified Board Members after completing the last two sessions on Collective Bargaining and Policy. She described her visit to Myakka City Elementary School and interactions with the animals. She is looking forward to visiting Anna Maria Elementary, King Middle School and Manatee High School to see the marine biology program linking the three schools. She is enjoying attending the arts events and seeing students excel in nonacademic activities. 

Mr. Kennedy thanked the staff for their work preparing for the meeting. He described visits to campuses but expressed sensitivity to making school personnel uncomfortable. On a drop-in visit to one campus, he described being welcomed and recognized he was taking time away from the principal’s work. He said quarter one is running smoothly.  

Mr. Tatem asked staff to encourage students to remind their parents to lock their cars especially if there are fire arms in the car. He appreciated the “beautiful, true and good” experienced while listening to the all-county orchestra. He asked fellow school board members if they want a workshop regarding the contract to build AAA High School. There was agreement to do this after the audit is complete in a month. 

Ms. Spray said she has not been visiting schools unannounced. She thinks the school year has gotten off to a good start. She hopes the opportunities brought up by the public commenter from the veterans group gets passed on to schools.

Mr. Choate acknowledged the shade meeting prior to the Board Meeting regarding safety and security and indicated you would be “hard pressed to find any other district” doing as much.

Adjournment – 12:44 p.m.

GOOD GOVERNANCE

Chair Choate moved the meeting along efficiently. It was well run. The discussions were civil and professional. 

It was difficult to know if any or all of the suggestions for additions to the Legislative Priorities were accepted or not. Mr. Choate’s inability to remember one of his planned suggestions was observed to be unusual, wondering why he had not made notes for himself.

Observers question the outcome regarding the discussion about Mr. Choate and Ms. Spray’s travel to Tallahassee for a politically partisan event being paid by taxpayer funds. Although it may be legal, there is the appearance of impropriety. Many times, School Board Members comment that teachers are held to a higher standard than others. Here was an opportunity for Board Members to lead by example and to do the right thing by students and taxpayers, not just the legal thing. We appreciate Mr. Tatem’s reasoning for paying his own way to the same event. We took exception to Mr. Kennedy’s rationale that the cost of travel was not a lot of money.  

We appreciate Chair Choate giving the student an opportunity to speak even though he was late making a request to give a comment. His comments are worth repeating here: “Our teachers are working second jobs just to make ends meet, yet they’re still spending their own money on essential school supplies this county fails to provide. And you want to make us pay for your political trip? Look at the state of our schools. At my school, the mold infested AC breaks down regularly. And you want to spend our money on a political trip instead.”

Mr. Kennedy’s clarification of the structure of the dual language program was appreciated. Perhaps the Board could request a similar presentation to include a broader representation within the classroom; e.g. feature a Spanish speaker receiving instruction in English. Perhaps student recognitions should be planned for evening meetings. Typically, a proclamation would have been made for Hispanic Heritage Month. We wonder why not this time, especially since 40% of the district’s student body is Hispanic.

We appreciate Ms. Felton pointing out that students are tested on things they have not yet been taught when Ms. Spray referenced a “child is slow in this particular topic” when not scoring proficiently on PM1.  

Pulling the item regarding the substitute service contract from the consent agenda demonstrated transparency considering the recent incident pertaining to a substitute teacher’s inappropriate actions