Manatee County School Board Notes: 4/28/26

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 major points from the school board meeting on 4/28/26.

The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chair Spray who then read the District’s Vision Statement. District Construction Services employee Pastor Reggie Goff offered the invocation. Mr. Choate participated virtually.

The Parrish Community High School JROTC Color Guard presented the colors with the Pledge of Allegiance led by retired Navy veteran Joseph Miller, Blackburn Elementary Kindergarten Teacher, and his family. The Superintendent presented him with a flag flown over the US Capitol.

Approval of the Agenda (as amended) – Approved 5-0

Student Celebration/Recognitions

Communications Director Jamie Carson introduced each of the presentations using entertaining and relevant puns.

Celebrating All-State Recognition for Students and Band Directors

Ricardo Robinson-Shivall, District Specialist, indicated that of the 9600 students who auditioned and then the 2400 selected to compete, Manatee District students won 21 All-State recognitions. He introduced students from elementary, middle school and high school members of choirs, choruses, and orchestras who achieved the best in the state. He also recognized two band directors achieving special recognition from their professional organizations.

Manatee History Day Winners

Matthew Woodside, Curator of the Manatee Village Historical Park, described the annual competition as part of the federal competition for National History Day with the theme, “Revolution, Reaction, Reform.” The two local winners will compete at the state level, leading to the national competition. The Lakewood Ranch High School student wrote a scholarly paper about how bicycles revolutionized independence for women, and the Palmetto Charter student created a documentary about the integration of Manatee Schools in the 1960’s. Mr. Kennedy asked the Board to have an opportunity to view the products at a later meeting.

Recognition of Student Athletes

Coach Remi Hebert, Parrish Community High School Weight Lifting Coach, introduced the young woman as the Individual State Champion in Olympic Lifting, who also set the state record. She was described as a model student athlete.

MSTV Interns Spotlight

Carl Sheldon introduced the student-led intern team that Matt Messenger had begun. He described what they do with the district’s television team and the influence these young people have that enhances their high school television production programs. The young people do everything from camera work, equipment control, replay systems, broadcast play-by-play, and on-camera talent. The high school leader described what the program has meant to him to increase his knowledge, expertise, and soft skills, as well as helping to enhance his high school TV production program. An adult intern from Manatee Technical College also described what being a part of the internship has meant to him. Their presentation ended with a video documentary highlighting the work of the MSTV student intern program. Ms. Felton connected their experience with her son’s experience with TV productions at his high school. Ms. Spray and Mr. Choate also commended the students and the program that sets them on a career path. The hope is to include students from all of the high schools.

Project Heart Program Recognition

Director Singleton introduced Brenda Rossi, Project HEART. The coordinator, who highlighted what the program does and its accomplishments. This program is under the auspices of the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which specifically provides rights to homeless children for immediate school enrollment, transportation, and educational stability. The program assists with school enrollment, provides backpacks/school supplies, free lunch, out-of-zone transportation, senior fees/educational field trips, post-high school planning, and community resources. Project Heart partners with community organizations to provide shoes, jackets, undergarments, hygiene products, Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas parties, gift cards, prom dresses, and $500 (due to a grant from Bishop-Parker Foundation to Manatee Education Foundation) for books for each graduating student. Nick Ceballo, College and Career Counselor, described his work providing counsel and resources to homeless high school students and preparing them for graduation, with a focus on juniors and seniors to ensure they move on to higher education or employment. All of this year’s thirty-one seniors are college-bound.

Public Comments – None

Reports and Presentations

Exceptional Student Education Department Updates

Josh Bennett, Director of Exceptional Student Education (ESE), shared highlights of how this department champions all learners academically, behaviorally, and through strong partnerships with families and the community. The Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) was explained, along with staff allocations for students with disabilities. A discussion was held about gifted learners following a question from Mr. Tatem — there are 27 gifted teachers this year, many in elementary schools. Student outcomes and progress data show steady growth and proficiency. Fewer than 1% of district students qualify to take alternative assessments, placing Manatee as a model for state compliance with this mandate. Ms. Felton questioned this mandate of staying at or under one percent, given that the number of student learners with identified learning disabilities across the nation continues to rise. A joint field day Special Olympics event for students with disabilities was celebrated as an incredible experience of inclusion and perseverance, along with an artwork showcase, Project Edge, and multiple partnerships with parents and the community through workshops and professional learning opportunities. The district also provides additional ESE support through a contracted company providing Registered Behavior Techs and BCBAs for specific students. The percentage of exceptional students has remained stable. ESE students are closing the gap on graduation rates. Federal funding for IDEA appears to be stable with the current amounts shown as a base total of $12,977,569 plus a roll forward of $3,706,291.10, for total IDEA grant funds $16,683,860.10. The ESE department supports Hospital Homebound, Nursing, Gifted (1681 students), and Medicaid reimbursement. Funding is also provided for charter schools and private schools for qualified students. Mr. Choate acknowledged that ESE teachers have one of the, if not the, hardest job in the school system and was very appreciative of the hard work and thanked them. Mr. Choate praised the increased proficiency of the department, and Dr. Breslin indicated that teachers feel more supported.

School Start Time Community Feedback

Deputy Superintendent Jensen presented the results of the recent community survey regarding moving high school start and stop times to fifteen minutes later. There were 5,081 survey responses representing 10,546 students. The survey asked about shifting to later school start and end times by 15 minutes and data showed the ranges of negative to positive impact. Work-schedule conflicts and sports & extracurricular disruptions were the highest-ranked negative feedback categories. In terms of operations and impacts on transportation costs and bus availability, Mr. Clark shared that they would need 15-20 new buses at an additional cost of $1,224,867 per year to move the high school start time 15 minutes and keep the elementary the same. Traffic counts were done at SR70 and Caruso (near Braden River High School). Mr. Jensen proposed bringing the SST-1 Compliance Report to the May 12th Board meeting and then submitting that to the FLDOE to achieve compliance status by indicating moving times would constitute a hardship to the district, and Board members agreed that this was an appropriate action at this time.

Consent Items: - Twenty-six items were approved 5-0.

New Business (Non-Consent Items)

1. Approval of the New Job Description and Position of Specialist, Gifted (Teacher on Assignment) (Multiple Funding Sources Offset by Position Reduction). Approved 5-0.

2. Approval of a New Job Description and Position of Student Recruiter, Manatee Technical College (Workforce Funding). Approved 5-0.

3. Approval of the New Job Description and Position of Data Analyst (Multiple Funding Sources Offset by Position Reduction). Approved 5-0.

4. Reclassification of the Job Description and Position of Lead Guardian to Security Manager (Multiple Funding Sources). Approved 5-0.

5. Reclassification of the Job Description and Position of Human Resources Specialist I (Multiple Funding Sources). Approved 5-0.

6. Reclassification of the Job Descriptions and Positions in the Finance Department (Multiple Funding Sources). Approved 5-0.

7. Reclassification of the Job Descriptions and Positions in the Department of Maintenance and Operations (Multiple Funding Sources). Approved 5-0.

8. Reclassification of the Job Descriptions and Positions in the Departments of School Bus Transportation (Multiple Funding Sources). Approved 5-0.

Superintendent Breslin indicated changes in job descriptions reflect current expectations and industrial standards.

9. Approval of the Shared Facilities Agreement with Manatee Sheriff’s Office and the Police Athletic League (PAL) of Manatee County (EDEP Program Funds) - Updated 4/22/2026. After a discussion about potentially modifying some of the contract language to clarify certain points, it was approved as written 5-0.

New Business (No Superintendent Recommendation)

Approval to Name the New High School Rangeland High School. Chair Spray indicated this name was suggested by community input. Approved 5-0.

Updates:

Instruction: Deputy Superintendent Jensen reminded everyone that the state’s K-2 assessment in reading is currently happening, and May brings full-scale testing in all grades in reading, then civics and history, and finally science and math. He encouraged all students to get enough rest, eat a good breakfast, and persevere to show what they know. Advanced Placement exams are next week. May 8th is the last day for seniors. Graduation ceremonies are scheduled for May 18th through the 23rd. Migrant graduation announced $20,000 in scholarships were awarded. Three elementary teams will go to St. Louis for a STEM competition. All VPK programs have participated in field trips to the Soar in 4 Lab. Summer VPK will soon be underway, with 300 hours of instruction. The Patterson Foundation is providing free summer experiences at various schools.

Operations: Mr. Clark reported the recent job fairs have been successful, with over 400 attending the fair for teachers and paras at MTC, with 81 teacher and 7 para contracts being offered. He congratulated the Food and Nutrition department for receiving the White Glove Award for food service, cleanliness and presentation. The three bus drivers who participated in the state safety skills competition brought home 4th, 5th, and 7th places. Today was School Bus Driver Appreciation Day, and it was celebrated with a fish fry.

Legal: Mr. Dye had no report. It was acknowledged that today was Mr. Pendley’s final School Board meeting as Attorney for the School District.

Superintendent Remarks: Dr. Breslin acknowledged the momentum of the district as it heads into celebrating graduation. She said she is excited about testing because the students and teachers have worked so hard. She reviewed the consent items that address routine operations. Dr. Breslin congratulated the annual Galvano Golf Classic, which has raised $11 million for the Manatee Education Foundation. She facilitated a recent meeting with five junior students from each of the high schools to engage them in the district’s current strategic planning process. Student input included their desire for education that connects with real life and real-world problems, strong relationships with teachers who provide mentorship and care, and stronger support for college and career goals. She will have a follow-up meeting with them next school year.

Board Comments

Mr. Choate said he was in Dallas and thanked everyone who put the meeting together and appreciated the Board Members’ patience with his virtual participation.

Ms. Felton said she has visited 33 district schools, four charters, and the jail education program. With testing currently going on, she will continue her rounds in the Fall. She attended the recent teacher/para job fair and was pleased to see the line waiting to get in. There were teachers from Hillsborough and Sarasota applying as well as recent college graduates. She attended Parrish Community High School’s production of Cinderella. She said graduation is her favorite activity and still knows some of the students from when she taught.

Mr. Kennedy was moved by the kindergarten teacher and the veteran who led the pledge and acknowledged the contributions of all of the district’s employees. He noted that while the School Board's actions filter down to schools, members could lose touch with what happens there. The presentations showed the district is thriving and is doing a great job. He wished Mr. Pendley well and acknowledged his last day is May 12.

Mr. Tatem reported that a car ran into the back of a bus and reminded everyone to put down their cell phones. In tribute to Military Families Appreciation Month, he indicated that hundreds of thousands are in harm’s way. He showed an Air Force video highlighting military families and their sacrifice and contributions. He presented a cap to Ms. Laura Cox, Board Clerk, acknowledging her service in the Air Force, saying that her job was to run toward danger to handle explosive ordnance.

Ms. Spray thanked her fellow Board Members and staff saying there is a lot going on, her calendar is full.

Adjournment: 8:38 p.m.

GOOD GOVERNANCE

It was observed to be unfortunate that the Board Members only received the 50-year PAL agreement about a shared facility on the Friday before the Tuesday meeting. Ms. Felton’s recommendations to provide more clarity with specifics regarding expectations for use of the shared facility in the “whereas” section for both the District and PAL seemed reasonable. Ms. Spray was observed to defend the agreement as written since she worked on it on behalf of the Board. Her defensiveness seemed to imply her opinion held more weight than that of another Board Member. A Chair’s opinion and participation carry no more weight than those of other Board Members.

As the Board seeks transparency, the public might have benefited from further information regarding the PAL agreement. Who from the district will participate in the design of the PAL building that will house both PAL programs and educational facilities for early learning and adult career programs? What will the $600,000 / year for a 10-year payment by the District to PAL be used for? Could the facilities at Rogers Gardens Bullock be used for early learning and adult career programs? When and how did the Board authorize the chair to negotiate this agreement? Did Board Members have opportunities to weigh in on the negotiations prior to seeing the final agreement on Friday?

Mr. Tatem has shown a variety of videos during his Board Comments. This is observed to be a novel approach for making a statement or point. However, one would expect Board Comments to be relevant to the district’s business and the board members’ responsibilities. Given May is National Military Appreciation Month, a proclamation would have been appropriate, and his presentation of a token of appreciation to one employee would have appeared symbolic to that purpose.

The Board and the public will benefit from more understanding of the use of Alternative Assessment and Access Points for students with profound disabilities, as well as the pathway for students with disabilities, to achieve a Standard 24-credit diploma or enter a deferred diploma route until they are 21. A place to start is here.

We continue to caution Board Members to avoid the use of acronyms by themselves and district staff. Acronyms serve as a barrier to understanding content and context and may lessen the sense of transparency the Board seeks to achieve. An example was referenced to BCBA, which we believe means Board Certified Behavior Analyst.