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 August 5, 2025.
The meeting was called to order at 10:01 a.m. by Chair Choate. Mr. Kennedy read the district vision statement and invited everyone to participate in a moment of silence and reflection on the 4000 teachers and paras that showed up yesterday for work. Mr. Choate led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Recognition – Employee Recognition
Dr. Paul Gansemer, Director of Adult, Career and Technical Education (ACTE) acknowledged awards given to Ms. Maura Howl and Mr. Paul (Doug) Wagner recently by the Florida Association of Career and Technical Education (FACTE).
Ms. Howl is the Supervisor of Communications at Manatee Technical College (MTC) and was awarded the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award. Ms. Howl writes and manages grants at MTC, most recently securing over $7 million for the new aviation program.
Mr. Wagner was inducted into the FACTE 2025 Hall of Fame and is retiring. MTC has the most programs in Florida due to Mr. Wagner’s leadership. Dr. Gansemer recounted Mr. Wagner’s 35-year career in technical education beginning as an Industrial Arts teacher in Clay County and the University of Florida, with five years at the FL DOE and the last 25 years in Manatee School District as the Director and Executive Director of ACTE, Deputy Superintendent for 5 years, before returning to MTC as its Director. In addition, Mr. Wagner has taken leadership positions within state and national organizations supporting adult, career and technical education. After a short video of the FACTE Hall of Fame event, US Representative Vern Buchanan’s aide read a letter commending Mr. Wagner’s career. Mr. Wagner said he appreciated being recognized, acknowledging that working in education is tough for everyone, and that he is proud of the district, teachers, and staff who work so hard. A video highlighting Mr. Wagner’s impact on MTC was shown.
Mr. Chapman added another recognition. The Back to School Bash at LECOM was a success, with the distribution of 1,500 backpacks and 5,000 tickets. He thanked the community partners and district departments that participated. A short video was shown featuring Ms. Spray singing the National Anthem.
Public Comment:
MN expressed her appreciation for the work of Doug Wagner and acknowledged his impact on the school district and the lives of its students. She provided specific examples of her work with him, drawing on her experience as Director of Communications for the district and as a teacher and sponsor of Career and Technical Education organizations at Southeast High School. She applauded the many successes locally, statewide, nationally and internationally of the district’s Technical Student Associations and credited Mr. Wagner’s leadership. She said, “He got it done and impacted 1000s of lives.”
Reports and Presentations
2025-2026 New School Year Updates. Deputy Superintendents Jensen and Ranaldi teamed up to present a PowerPoint presentation highlighting what is in store for the upcoming school year. Link to full presentation here.
Two new schools, Barbara Harvey 4-8 campus, and Lake Manatee K-8, which is the first from scratch K-8, opened this year. Lake Manatee will have K-5 grades this year and add 6-8 next year. Ms. Felton recounted her recent visits to both schools. Mr. Jensen indicated that campuses of many of the existing schools have been beautified.
Mr. Ranaldi reported on maintenance and construction projects. The three-year turf program for the seven high schools’ football fields has been completed. Roof repairs at several campuses are complete.
Mr. Jensen announced the monthly Bishop Museum’s free Soar In 4 programs and the opening of the Soar lab at Harllee Center. He also announced that parent-teacher conference nights at elementary schools are reinstated this year for October 16 and March 26. Early elementary release days at 1:00 p.m. are October 17 and 24, March 13, and April 2.
Mr. Ranaldi reminded everyone that the City of Bradenton’s safety speed zone cameras are back at the nine schools in the city. The County is continuing to reevaluate its use. Ms. Spray encouraged the district and county government to influence the Florida Department of Transportation to use the cameras for schools on major highways, e.g., Manatee Elementary and Haile Middle School on SR 64, and Oneco Elementary on SR 70.
Since school buses are back on the roads, Mr. Ranaldi reminded everyone to obey the stop arm on the bus. For two-lane roads and four-lane roads, traffic going both ways must stop unless there is a barrier between lanes on a four-lane road, then oncoming traffic must proceed with caution. With the opening of the 44th Street extension, Mr. Ranaldi agreed with Ms. Felton that this should relieve some of the crush on SRs 64 and 70.
EVOLV detection devices have now been expanded to all middle schools and there are 20 guardians for 18 units. He also announced the use of the Perry Weather program, with modules available at all high schools and Myakka and Anna Maria Elementary schools, which will provide a warning system for all school personnel through phone apps. This system will alert users to lightning and “wet bulbs” (humidity and heat) levels, offering increased safety for outdoor activities.
Mr. Ranaldi indicated there are 103 bus drivers and 1700 bus stops. He acknowledged the pay increase for drivers has been successful in attracting qualified applicants. Twenty new buses are expected this year. Stop arm cameras are being added to existing buses.
Food and Nutrition served 186,000 meals this summer at 66 sites. Five hundred meals were served at Lincoln Park’s wellness activity on July 24. New menu items for school lunches will include a variety of bowls and pickle pizzas, among others.
Mr. Choate asked if there were learning activities at the summer sites and was told that some of the food distribution sites are located at libraries, and some sites included activities.
Mr. Jensen indicated there will be a new feature on the FOCUS module that will allow personalized and translated messages. Mr. Kennedy reminded everyone of the new cell phone policy for K-8 as indicated in the Student Code of Conduct. No cell phone use is allowed during the student day and this includes lunch. Cell phone use at high schools remains the same as in the past – not allowed to use during instruction unless authorized by the teacher. Ms. Spray indicated she would like to see high schools have the same rule as K-8.
Mr. Ranaldi indicated there are 39 teachers and 37 para openings as of this meeting.
The summer district leadership conference included the Sheriff to remind everyone what the steps are to ensure the safety of students and reporting methodologies.
Consent Items – Twenty-two items were approved 5-0
New Business (Non-Consent)
Approval of New Job Description and Position of Foster Care Liaison (Title I & Local Grant). With the support of United Way Suncoast, this new position will support the many foster children attending Manatee District schools and liaise with community partners. Approved 5-0.
Approval of Reimbursement Resolution 2025-007 for Expenditures consisting of New High School "AAA", Renovations to Moody Elementary School, and an Addition to Lake Manatee K-8 School (the "Improvements") (No Financial Impact) Ms. Sellers explained this allows for reimbursement if and when COPS are issued for these projects. Approved 5-0.
Approval of a Proportionate Share Distribution of the Sales Surtax Revenue Collections to Qualified Charter Schools for Fiscal Year 2025-26 through December 31, 2032 (Capital Funds) - updated August 1, 2025 Following many discussions at workshops, board meetings, and public comments, this agreement specifies the distribution of the sales surtax to charter schools over time. Approved 5-0.
Authorize the Superintendent to Utilize the Flexibility Established Per Florida Statute 1001.42(21) to Establish Strategies that Address the Selection, Placement, Compensation, and Expectations of Instructional Personnel, Including Executing Memorandum(s) of Understanding, up to $500,000.00 (Multiple Funding Sources) This will allow the Superintendent to nimbly provide extra resources to Samoset Elementary to support School Improvement. Approved 5-0.
New Business (No Superintendent Recommendation)
Approval of Travel Expense Associated with the School Board Members' Attendance at the Greater Florida Consortium of School Boards Legislative Meeting, August 27-29, 2025, at the St Pete Bayfront Hotel, FL, Not to Exceed $1,000.00 (General Fund) Approved 5-0.
Approval of Travel Expense for School Board Members to Attend the 2024 Manatee Chamber of Commerce Planning Retreat Not to Exceed $5,000.00 (General Fund) Approved 5-0.
Approval of Travel Expense Associated with the School Board Members' Attendance at the Florida School Boards Association (FSBA) Policy, Governance and Bargaining 101 training, at the Hilton, University of Florida Conference Center, Gainesville, FL, Not to Exceed $1,000.00 (General Fund) Approved 5-0.
Updates
Instruction – Deputy Superintendent Jensen wished students, teachers, families, and administrators a wonderful start to the school year. He said the teachers have been hard at work already with the professional learning activities of 900 participants per day. He noted that today there were 400 course offerings, both virtual and in person. He claimed teachers in classrooms have the biggest impact, and he appreciated them putting in extra hours to build their skill sets. He indicated that the dual language programs at Daughtrey, Prine and Palmetto Elementary Schools will benefit from teachers who were recruited from Spain who are committed to working here for the next several years. He also reported that the Early Learning Team did 160 student evaluations. The Soar In 4 Lab is hosting six preview sessions, culminating in the grand opening on September 19 at 9:00 a.m. MTC began classes for post-secondary students on August 5, with adult coursework for ESOL and GED beginning August 18. Jensen said MTC is a full enrollment program and has a significant impact on the community.
Operations - Deputy Superintendent Ranaldi welcomed teachers back. The new Food and Nutrition personnel went to a conference on Monday and filled the auditorium at MHS. Two new kitchens will open at the new schools. Oneco and Blackburn Elementary schools have had major renovations, resulting in new parent and bus drop-off areas. August 15 ends public input for rezoning, and map work will continue for the next month and a half.
Legal – Again, Mr. Dye had no updates.
Superintendent’s Remarks. Mr. Chapman said he is excited for the new school year and there are now literacy coaches in all of the elementary schools thanks to the millage. Two new schools will open and the EVOLV security system is now in all middle schools as well as high schools. The bus wave off on Monday will be at 4:30 a.m. He reminded the community that on Monday, 103 school buses, as well as parents and teens, will be on the roads, resulting in a high increase in traffic, so everyone needs to give more time.
Board Comments
Mr. Kennedy reminded his colleagues that he will attend Friday’s workshop virtually and won’t be at the bus wave-off.
Mr. Tatem reminded everyone of the 100 days of summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day and to guard against sunburns and stay hydrated. He congratulated the more than 100 summer graduates who struggled and pulled it off.
Ms. Felton thanked the Board for the funds to attend the Florida School Board Association training that will lead to her Board Certification, as “there is so much to learn on this job.”
Ms. Spray thanked businesses for their support in gathering and distributing school supplies. She wished students good luck on their first day of school. She visited Lake Manatee K-8 campus and thought, “ka-ching.”
Mr. Choate wished everyone good luck as schools opened and acknowledged all the work the Operations staff had done over the past two months to prepare. Schools take a beating for 180 days. He thanked Mr. Wagner for making a big difference to the school district. He also acknowledged the retirement of his mentor Don French who taught him you “have to invest in students’ lives.” Mr. Choate attended the PACE graduation on Friday acknowledging the challenges these students faced to get their diplomas. The Board will continue their discussion of High School AAA at Friday’s workshop.
Adjourned at 11:46 a.m.
The League of Women Voters School Board Observation Corps joins the School Board in acknowledging and appreciating the extraordinary contributions to this school district made by Mr. Doug Wagner.
We assume the Perry Weather system requires apps on teachers’ phones. Perhaps the School Board should have asked for information about how the limitations of cell phone use K-8 would impact teacher use? Ms. Spray indicated that she would like to see high schools have the same student cell phone rule as K-8. Is she aware that some high school classrooms require students to have specific apps and instructional uses of their phones?
There was no update on the status of fund restoration and the current restrictions due to the reinstatement of federal funding. We thought the Board should have asked for an update especially considering the public concerns displayed at past meetings. The opportune time was when Board Members quickly approved their own travel.
We ask why the Board Members do not request legal updates, especially when there are relevant items in local news media. For example, it would be helpful to the public to know how many cases are pending and the types of cases. What are the numbers of and types of contracts and MOUs in the works?
We are aware that a public comment was made at two Board of County Commissioners meetings that the district supports the proposed county-wide curfew. We have not observed this coming to the School Board as an item of business or for information.
During the discussion on flexible funding for Samoset’s School Improvement effort, Ms. Spray indicated she has given the school personnel advice on instructional practice. We remind Board Members that when Board Members offer advice on instructional and operational matters, some who receive this advice may assume it is a mandate. The district has experts who provide leadership and guidance. We caution Board Members to stay in their own lane.
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