Manatee County School Board Notes: 11/10/225

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 11/10/25. 

The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chair Choate, who thanked the Veterans in the room and then read the district vision. He introduced Mr. Edward A. Cleveland, a Veteran, who gave the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Veteran Thomas Bellantonio and his two young sons.  Mr. Bellantonio is a 15-year veteran of the school district and currently an Assistant Principal at Lakewood Ranch High School. Chair Choate indicated this will begin a new tradition of having Manatee school district employees who are also veterans lead the pledge at School Board Meetings. 

Celebration/Recognitions

In the absence of Ms. Carson, Director of Communications, Associate Superintendent Chapman announced Dr. Melinda Lundy as the new principal at Rye Road Elementary and Ms. Laura Campbell as the new principal at “soon to be named” Veterans Elementary.

Victims of Communism Manatee Scholarship Program Presentation 

Jack May, Mark Stanoch, and Tammy Fitzgerald are members of the 501(c)3 organization, “Victims of Communism of Florida” which is facilitating a program for students to earn scholarships by participating in a program of essays, presentations, and exhibits. This competition complements Florida’s required instruction about the “abusive ideology” of communism. To date they have awarded over $16,000 in scholarships. This is the third year for the program and they are adding a monetary award for the teachers of the winning students. Sarasota County students have been added this year. To date, only two Manatee County students have submitted applications. The kick off workshop is December 6 at SCF. Flyers have been distributed to high schools via Peachjar, the online district communication system.

Farm City Week – Celebrates the Local Agriculture Industry 

Dr. Paul Gansemer, Executive Director of Adult, Career and Technical Education (ACTE), and Ms. Kelly Kennedy, Assistant Director of Career and Technical Education, introduced Farm City Week, November 8-17. The committee is committed to ‘Keep Agriculture Alive in 2025.’ Ms. Kennedy, herself, comes from a long line of farmers. She thanked the board for their support in starting one of the first agriculture programs in an elementary school at Myakka School. It has become a model for the state. Six high schools, 8 middle schools and 1 elementary school have agriculture programs in our district. Modern agriculture is a technology intense business and able to produce more with less acreage. FFA is a co-curricular organization that supports the courses. AgVenture day will be held for 3,000 third grade students at the fairgrounds in Palmetto where high school students will take part in sharing information and activities. 

Holocaust Education Week  

Joe Baker was recognized for outstanding educational programming in Holocaust education at Buffalo Creek Middle School. He thanked the district for assisting him in his work developing his program. He participated in a Holocaust summer program that changed his life. Mr. Chapman awarded Mr. Baker a certificate for his outstanding work with Holocaust education. Ms. Bette Zaret of the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee shared that kindness, courage, and moral responsibility are the basis for their anti-Semitism work. She introduced 98-year-old Ms. Ginette (GG) Hirsh, a survivor of the Holocaust who said she loves going to the schools and telling her story of being a “hidden child.”

Public Comments – There was one public comment.

MJ –spoke on behalf of families and community members who, starting November 11, will be subject to potential campus co-location by Schools of Hope. She asked the School Board to take four steps: 1. Publicly share all letters of intent that are received from Schools of Hope vendors; 2. At the upcoming public workshops, provide families with the utilization data so they can learn how and why redistricting decisions are being made; 3. Adopt a resolution against forced co-location by Schools of Hope; 4. Communicate this week with families about what is changing and how the district plans to respond.

Reports and Presentations 

Presentation of New Manatee County Police Athletic League (PAL) Center and New City Park 

Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells and Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown shared an opportunity that aligns with the Manatee Schools’ district vision entailing a partnership with PAL (Police Athletic League). PAL is run by community members who represent a wide range of expertise. The organization is over 30 years old and brings families, education, and sports together to develop youth. Attorney Carl Reynolds explained why he is involved based on his experiences with sports and now his children are involved with PAL. He described this “once in a lifetime opportunity” to create a new home for PAL which can serve our students with the most need. It will be adjacent to Rogers Garden-Bullock Elementary. The students will have access to the facilities during the day. Mayor Brown said he grew up with the Boys and Girls Club. He said we need to change the generational culture by getting children involved and give them hope. The new development will be a community center that will help address the neighborhood needs. A representative of the Bradenton Housing Commission said this program will bring multiple aspects of our community together. This program will help the county’s HUD’s five-year program by building a network of support to the families living in this community. Jason Barth with a construction company said they are excited to part of this project. Sheriff Wells wants the school district to be part of this project and program. The old Boys and Girls Club and Community Center are both gone now and this program is needed in this area. There is no financial obligation as the Sheriff’s staff will always be there. He thanked the Board for listening to them and help in making this dream come true. Ron Allen with NDC construction, thanked the Board and asked for further involvement of the school board in other activities for the project. He would like collaboration with the board in designing the facility and programs. 

The Manatee Education Foundation Director Bowman and Dr. Halpin explained how the Soar in 4 mission would be enhanced by involvement at this location. Over 1,000 students and parents have used the lab at the Harllee campus in the seven weeks it has been open. They have trained teachers and hosted USF students and their teachers. Although Rodgers Gardens Elementary in on a public transit bus route it takes over an hour to get to the existing lab, therefore, the opportunity to expand it to a community closer to the river would be a benefit. Paul Gansemer, Executive Director of ACTE, said it is important to the area as they need accessibility. This is an opportunity to take a program to where it is needed. There could be ESOL classes for parents while their children are in school or others in the area or get a GED. The principal of Rogers Garden, Michael Escorcia, said that PAL is already supporting them in so many ways and this next-door project/program would enhance their school greatly. 

Chair Choate moved to go forward with developing a partnership with PAL; it was seconded by Ms. Spray and approved 5-0 after the following discussion.

Mr. Tatem said he was originally hesitant with the money potentially involved but the more he hears, the more he is supportive. Ms. Felton called out Mayor Brown’s description of Rogers Garden Elementary as “failing since day one,” stating that the school has improved and great things are happening there. She likes the project about bringing the programs to them when they cannot travel. She raised concerns that include legal issues about partnerships, facility use and cost especially with uncertain federal and state funding. She said, “We can’t keep taking money out of reserve so we need to know what funding will be needed.”  

Ms. Spray was glad the principal was here. She asked if there can be programs for middle and high school? She said it will ultimately be the hub of the area and wants to know how this will expand from elementary to upper levels. She said, “I see it as an investment in the future. I will be in total support for my district.” Mr. Kennedy said he saw it not just as a cost to the school board but it is about the outcomes we can achieve. These are families that need this asset; that is what we are here for. There is a lot to work to be done but he said you can count on this board for its support. Mr. Choate thanked the district staff who has been working on this and now they need to look at what a contract will look like and involve the attorneys. He said, “I believe PAL is a special organization. The collaboration with six or seven agencies in our county is an exceptional example of how collaboration can work.” 

Consent Items: Seventeen items were approved 5-0

Meeting of the Leasing Corporation - After a brief recess, Chair Choate gaveled out of the regular meeting and into the Leasing Corporation meeting.

Approval of Facilities Agreement between the Manatee School Board Leasing Corporation and the School Board of Manatee County – added after publishing – approved 5-0. No discussion nor explanation was provided. Chair Choate reconvened the regular meeting.

New Business (Non-Consent Items)

Approval of the Budget Amendments for September 2025 (No Financial Impact)

Approved 5-0.

New Business (No Superintendent Recommendation)

Approval of the Board’s Legal Firm Evaluation for the Period of 2024-2025 

Approved 5-0.

Advertise the Name of the New Elementary School Located Near Artisan Lakes as Veterans Elementary School with Final Vote at the December Board Meeting, Approved 5-0.

Updates 

Instruction: Mr. Jensen, Deputy Superintendent for Instruction, announced that in the two state marching band competitions this past week, Braden River High School was overall Grand Champion in Classes 1A, 2A and 3A, with Parrish Community High School placing 5th in Class 3A and Lakewood Ranch High School placing 6th in Class 4A. The elementary school catapult competition held at Southeast High School included 118 teams from 33 elementary schools competing for accuracy and distance. Many high school bands and JROTC units will participate in the community’s Veteran Day parades and events. 

Operations: Mr. Willie Clark, Interim Deputy Superintendent for Operations, announced the Operations Job Fair on November 13 from 2-5 p.m. at Wakeland. There will be a virtual teacher and para job fair on November 18 as well as recruiting at several community events. He encouraged everyone to read this month’s Thrive Newsletter and highlighted American Diabetes month, need to prepare for flu season, and Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Food and Nutrition reported inviting first responders, the local heroes, to lunch at various schools. The Transportation Department has 107 bus drivers currently and they are getting students to school and home on time. There are 30 drivers on the volunteer field trip roster and they have driven 20,100 students on 322 field trips.

Legal: Attorney Dye had no report.

Superintendent Remarks: Dr. Breslin announced that ‘Books are Fun’ has distributed 3600 books to 164 classes in 10 schools and that they support the Soar In 4 Lab. New Principals Lundy and Campbell, both products of Manatee district schools with a combined 45 years of experience, will be at the rezoning meetings. Parrish Community, Bayshore, Manatee, and Palmetto High School’s football teams are in the play offs. King Middle School student McDade’s winning art piece is hanging in the State Capital for the upcoming legislative session.

Board Comments 

Mr. Tatem gave a shout out to Lynn Johnson who headed the catapult competition. Mr. Tatem encouraged students to be good friends to others by calling out destructive behavior and telling appropriate adults by relating a story about a 16-year-old with a gun who killed another teen. He also highlighted the story of Admiral Stockdale, a Medal of Honor winner, who was at the “end of his rope” while a captive in 1969 during the Vietnam War who survived because his wife “rolled in” demanding humane treatment of prisoners. Mr. Tatem stressed that we all need to be our brother’s and sister’s keepers and “wing men” when we see destructive behavior. 

Ms. Felton wished her dad a Happy Veteran’s Day. She is going to the Parrish Community Veterans’ Day Parade on Tuesday. She thanked her fellow board members for sending her to the National Conference on School Culture and Violence in Port Charlotte. She described the sessions she attended and the many outstanding people she met. She brought back business cards to share with the appropriate district staff.

Mr. Kennedy gave a shout-out to his 85-year-old Dad, who is visiting. He expressed appreciation for Ms. Felton’s energy as a first-year board member. He acknowledged Martha Jacobs as the sole member of the public who consistently attends the meetings. He praised Superintendent Breslin for always being available and responsive and being on top of things, working as part of a team.

Ms. Spray indicated that she received the pin she was wearing while at Tara Elementary where she observed them practicing their Veteran’s Day program. She also visited Rowlett, Freedom, King and Daughtrey in the last few days as well as attending the Mixon event. She heard Ms. Hirsh speak in a classroom at Southeast High School and observed the students’ appreciation. She reminded the public of the rezoning meetings on November 17, 19, and 20. She expressed that their vote for community center with PAL will be one of the biggest votes in years and powerful for the community. She said, “I can’t wait to see it come up out of the earth.”

Mr. Choate thanked all who put the meeting together. He said he will attend the November 18 reorganization virtually because he will be on a work trip. He said, “Lots of good stuff going on in Manatee County.”

Adjournment 7:43 p.m.

GOOD GOVERNANCE

When convening the Manatee Leasing Corporation meeting during a General School Board Meeting, again, it would be helpful to remind the public of exactly what their role is in that capacity prior to taking any action. This should be explained each time the Manatee Leasing Corporation is convened. The November 18 reorganization meeting will provide an opportunity to do so.

We commend Ms. Felton for pointing out the inaccuracy of Mayor Brown’s generalization about the status of success of Rogers Garden-Bullock Elementary School.  

We remind Ms. Spray that advocating for resources in her district distracts from her responsibility to the entire school district.

It is imperative that the cost to the School District of partnering on the PAL Community Center project and athletic fields be transparent. The observers question whether the community members advocating for this project truly understand the needs of the community they purport they want to support. Perhaps the contribution of the district should be potential programming and not financing the structures.

We are curious why the naming of the new elementary school did not involve community input before approving advertising to the public. While a discussion occurred in a board workshop, past practice has been to solicit naming nominations from the community.

The Victims of Communism Manatee Scholarship Program Presentation was an advertisement for more participation rather than a celebration or recognition, as is the purpose of this section of the agenda. School Board Policy 0169.1 precludes public participation from being advertisements during a school board meeting. Perhaps bringing back the winners will be welcomed for the Celebration and Recognition.