The League of Women Voters of Manatee County Government Committee observes Manatee County Commission meetings for items of interest to citizens and the League and notes adherence, or lack of adherence, to good governance procedures and the Sunshine Law. The following are the major points from the board’s regular meeting on
The meeting was called to order at 5:32 p.m. by Chair Choate, followed by the reading of the district vision by Ms. Felton who then gave the invocation. The Bayshore High Schol ROTC Color Guard presented the colors followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Student Celebrations
Recognition of a Life Saver
Ms. Carson, Director of Communications, recognized Sydney Cooper, Athletic Trainer at Lakewood Ranch High School and was the 2023 Athletic Trainer of the Year for the state of Florida. At a football game last fall, she assessed a coach who had been injured, did chest compressions and saved Coach Jerry’s life. Superintendent Breslin added her appreciation for Ms. Cooper’s work and her heroic effort.
Celebrating Student Success – Perfect FAST Scores
One hundred eighty-seven students in the Manatee School District earned a perfect score on one of the tests. Ms. Carson called forward each of the nine students by their first names who earned perfect scores on both the ELA and Math tests. One who could not attend was also acknowledged in a video. All students received certificates and those present had a picture taken with their parents and the board.
Public Comments – There were no public comments.
Reports and Presentations
Manatee County History Day Presentation by Clerk of Courts & Comptroller Angel Colonneso
Ms. Colonneso, Clerk of the Court for Manatee County, spoke about thirty-nine years of History Day which is held at Manatee Historical Park as part of the state and national History Day Program. Students in grades 6-12 participate in the history contest much like a science fair.The topic this year is “Revolution, Reaction and Reform in American History.” Students may choose to demonstrate their work through paper, documentary, exhibit
Mr. Choate invited the curriculum specialist for Social Studies to talk about how the district promotes this
Consent Items: - Nineteen items were approved 5-0.
Meeting of the Leasing Corporation
Chair Choate gaveled out of the board meeting and called to order the Manatee School Board Leasing Corporation meeting. The Board approved 5-0 to approve to install
Chair Choate then closed the Leasing Corporation meeting and gaveled back into the regular school board meeting.
New Business (Non-Consent Items)
Approval of Resolution 2025-009 Authorizing a Section 1011.13, Florida Statutes Tax Anticipation Note (TAN), Series 2025 (General Fund)
Mr. Choate noted this was discussed in the morning workshop. Ms. Sellers talked about the dates and amounts involved. Approved 5-0.
Approval of New Job Description for Student Account Analyst (No Financial Impact)
Dr. Breslin stated this description is revised to reflect current job responsibilities. Approved 5-0.
Approval of the Revision of Job Description in the Communications Department (No Financial Impact)
Dr. Breslin said this is a series of revisions to reorganize the Communications team per Ms. Carson and Mr. Chapman. Approved 5-0.
Approval of the Revised Job Description of Fiscal Specialist to Financial Specialist (No Financial Impact)
Dr. Breslin stated this is again meeting the job responsibilities the person does. Approved 5-0.
Approval of the Reclassification of the Job Description of Licensed Practical Nurse (General Fund)
Dr. Breslin said this brings the description into better
New Business (No Superintendent Recommendation)
Approval of the Proposed 2026 Greater Florida Consortium of School Boards (GFSCB) Legislative Program
Chair Choate said that the consortium creates a Legislative Program every year and the Board can choose not to sign on to it entirely. Mr. Tatem said on page 3, it clarifies we can exempt ourselves from the state building codes if it chooses. There were also changes so that a district can choose to repair rather than rebuild a school when deemed necessary. Ms. Felton highlighted the academic accountability paragraph that shows they are still moving the finish line for testing scores for state grading for schools and the district. While the district and schools do better, changing the finish line does not reflect the improvement when the “finish line” is changed from year to year. Mr. Choate said he brought up the issue that Manatee County Tax Collector plans to take money for the referendum tax money collected. However, other districts are not dealing with this issue so the GFSCB did not include it in the legislative program. Approved 5-0. Link to the draft document:
Approval of Travel Expenses Associated with the School Board Member Felton Attendance at the 2025 National Conference on School Climate, Culture and Violence. Florida. Not to Exceed $1,500 (General Fund) – added after publishing
Ms. Felton stated this is a national convention convening in Port Charlotte to talk about school safety. She is also an ad hoc member on the Florida School Board
Approval of Travel Expense Associated with the School Board Member Choate Attendance at the 2025 Designation of Senator Jim Boyd as President of the Senate, Not To Exceed $1,000 (General Fund) – added after publishing.
Mr. Choate said he was invited by Senator Boyd and Ms. Spray said she did not get her application in time. All board members said they received an invitation. Mr. Tatem said the event is sponsored by the Senate Republican Committee and he was having a hard time having board members participating and paying for a purely political event. He did not think we should use school board funds to support it and will not support it.
Mr. Kennedy asked if there was anything in policy prohibiting it although he understands Mr. Tatem’s point. He said, if nothing in policy prohibits then he is okay with it since Mr. Boyd is a local State Senator from Manatee County. Mr. Tatem said he felt it was unethical to use school board funds for this purely partisan political event and it is unethical. Mr. Kennedy said Mr. Boyd is a Manatee County elected official and he can support Mr. Choate going. Mr. Tatem said it is being sponsored by the Republican party. Ms. Felton asked the attorney if he had any thoughts on it. Mr. Dye said he had not researched it and Ms. Felton suggested it be postponed until Mr. Dye has the opportunity to give feedback. Ms. Spray said she does not look at it as a partisan event, stating we ask for the legislature for money all the time and we are invited to support the Senate President. There was a discussion about the event being political. Mr. Boyd invited local people to be part of his swearing in as Senate President followed by a dinner. Mr. Tatem said he thinks this is a bad precedent when sponsored by a political party. Mr. Kennedy moved and Ms. Felton seconded to postpone action until October
Updates
Instruction
Mr. Jensen said the district is three weeks into the school year and in the middle of state required September teaching topics: last week was 9/11 Heroes Day, this is Hispanic Heritage month, tomorrow is Constitution Day, and Celebrate Freedom Week is the last week of September. Mr. Jensen stated the district is finalizing PM1 testing which serves as an important starting point to begin customizing student learning. He reminded the Board that VPK stats were brought to them earlier. The state has
Operations
Mr. Willie Clark, the new Deputy Superintendent for Operations, announced job fairs on September 19 at Wakeland for bus drivers and technicians and September 25 at MTC for teachers and paras. He reported that HR just completed the voluntary and involuntary transfer process. Mr. Clark indicated there are 31 teacher vacancies and 91 people attended the meeting for alternative certification and some of them may be available to hire. The 6-week September MOVE Team Challenge is underway with several hundred staff competing by participating in healthy movement. Three hundred staff members have signed up for the journey to improve overall wellness. Mr. Clark noted Health and Wellness Day on October 13from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Braden River High school for personnel to meet with wellness staff, insurance vendors, district benefit vendors, and free screenings on this no student day. Food and Nutrition is looking forward to partnering with east coast Florida’s 12000-acre Hatton Farms to bring fresh vegetables into our schools: fresh corn on the cob on October 30th and fresh green beans on November 20th. Transportation will start receiving 20 new buses in November with some having enhanced safety features like lights on top and lighted stop arm, especially important in rural areas. There are currently 105 bus drivers which is up from the mid-90s last year. Mr. Clark thanked Board Members for their support to be able to do this.
Legal
Mr. Dye reported on the status of the Manatee County Tax Collector’s charge for gathering the millage passed by referendum. Mr. Dye has been in contact with their attorney and is waiting for a copy of their opinion letter they have prepared for the state. Mr. Dye said he will stay on top of it.
Superintendent Remarks
Dr. Breslin acknowledged this as her first meeting as Superintendent and thanked the staff forputting the meeting together and the Deputy Superintendents and Mr. Chapman for helping her navigate her first week on the job. She also thanked the Bayshore High School Color Guard for their part in opening the meeting. She outlined several items that were passed on the consent agenda including mental health allocations for students and approving four of the JROTC programs to attend fall events. The much-anticipated ribbon cutting for the Soar In 4lab is this Friday at 9:00 a.m. on Harllee campus and kids can stay and play following the ceremony. She remarked that the district presented at the Chamber event this weekend and thanked them for their support with a new plan for business partnerships. She reminded families that the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application opens October 1 and this is important for all families sending students off for advanced education.
Board Comments
Mr. Kennedy thanked his colleagues for a productive and collegial day and sent thanks back to the district’s leadership team and everyone at the schools who makes things happen after the Board approves it. He said he is looking forward to Soar In 4 opening, acknowledged the PreK results are exceptional and thanked Mr. Jensen and his staff.
Mr. Tatem reminded everyone to not turn your back during a football game if on the sidelines because that is how the coach got hurt and needed CPR. He commented on the Chamber Retreat where the Sheriff brought up guns being stolen from cars and by locking cars, it could reduce our crime rate by 40-50%. He suggested a campaign in high school to suggest students remind their parents with guns in their cars to lock the car. Mr. Tatem congratulated Dr. Breslin for her speech at the Chamber event and the
Ms. Felton said she is going to miss Soar In 4 as she will be at FSBA but got a sneak peekand played with their stuff. She advised her fellow Board Members to “take off your grown-up hat” when you go and have fun. She indicated she has 2 final FSBA trainings this month to become a Certified Board Member: Governance and Collective Bargaining. She said the School Health Advisory
Ms. Spray welcomed Dr. Breslin to her first full week. Ms. Spray did a tour at Samoset with their turn-around plan out there and everything they are doing is very positive and energetic. She also enjoyed making connections at the Chamber Retreat.
Mr. Choate welcomed both Mr. Clark and Dr. Breslin to their new jobs. He congratulated Ms. Cox who got an award as a Certified Support Professional from FSBA. He thanked Leadership
Adjournment – 6:46 p.m.
The meeting was observed to be efficiently run with little extraneous talk. The Board Members stayed on topic.
The observers agree with Mr. Tatem that taxpayer money should not go toward attending a partisan political event and commend him for bringing up this concern to fellow board members. If Board members wish to attend, they should each pay their own way. We appreciate Ms. Felton’s suggestion to give the attorney time to opine.
Observers noted that Mr. Kennedy referenced the Superintendent as “Laurie” and suggested that he consistently use her formal title, Dr. Breslin, at School Board Meetings as a matter of respect.
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