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 April 7, 2026.
The meeting was called to order by Chair Spray at 10:00 a.m.
The District Vision was read by Ms. Felton, followed by a Moment of Silence for children around the world suffering due to the acts of the adults around them. The veteran-led Pledge of Allegiance was led by Severo Covian, Jr., who served in the U.S. Coast Guard and is now the homeschool liaison at Seabreeze Elementary.
Approval of Agenda Amendments passed 5-0.
Approval of Minutes of February 24, 2026 Meeting passed 5-0.
Student Celebration | Recognitions
Tribute to Coach Eddie Shannon
Coach Shannon passed on April 3, 2026 at the age of 104. The legendary football coach from Manatee High was a World War II Veteran and his legacy will live on. A video of his birthday celebration was shared in his honor.
[LWV Note: Coach Shannon is also featured as a notable Manatee personality in a film titled “Fish Fry & Fellowship” which premieres at the Sarasota Film Festival Saturday April 11 at 2 PM at New College’s Sainer Pavilion. https://www.
Spirit Week Celebration
Associate Director, Strategic Planning Initiatives, Omar Edwards shared that Spirit Week is an annual way to prepare and encourage students for annual testing. Special guest speakers at several schools help bring the message. The 11 Resiliency Skills to overcome any challenge are embedded in Spirit Week.
Employee Recognition
The National Life Group awarded its Life Changer of the Year Award, which recognizes the best K-12 employees throughout the country. About 1100 people were nominated nationwide. This recognition was given to Omar Edwards as one of the winners this year. He will receive $3,000 cash prize, half for him and half for the district. He was congratulated on the recognition for his leadership and commitment in the community. His wife, LaDina Edwards, was also thanked for her support.
Public Comments
There was one public comment sent in by email, which was not read aloud.
Reports and Presentations
Executive Director of High Schools Sharon Scarbrough shared that Manatee’s JROTC Programs are among the landmark programs in the state, if not the nation. April is the Month of the Military Family in Florida. This provides communities with an opportunity to honor and share gratitude for the service of military families and their children. Florida is committed to being the most military-friendly state in the nation. People are invited to “Purple Up” on April 15th.
Two JROTC leaders were present to provide information about the national legacy and history of JROTC. The program is based on four pillars: Civics, Leadership, Teamwork, and STEM. The Rodney King riots in the 1990s led to the pillar of Civics being added, and STEM has been a focus in the past 6-7 years, including drones and cybersecurity. Students are guided by nationally certified instructors and focus on real-world skill development. Manatee School District’s JROTC students are often state champions and finalists. JROTC students have improved academic achievement and graduation rates, and have opportunities for university scholarships and direct enlistments.
Board members shared their appreciation for the program and their admiration for the students they have experienced in the classroom and for the traits they see in JROTC students, such as how respectful and committed they are.
Link to presentation slides here.
Consent Items
26 items were approved 5-0.
Public Hearing for Consideration to Adopt and Amend School Board Policies - updated 4/2/2026
There was no public comment on any of the 38 policies set to be amended.
New Business (Non-Consent Items)
Approval to Adopt and Amend School Board Policies (General Fund) - updated 4/2/2026. Approved 5-0.
Approval of the Budget Amendments for February 2026 (No Financial Impact). Approved 5-0.
New Business: (No Superintendent Recommendation)
Approval of the Florida School Board Association (FSBA) Annual Membership Dues (General Fund).
Chair Spray said the FSBA does a phenomenal job offering leadership and other training, but not all five members necessarily need to be members. If it saves the taxpayer some dollars for dues, she wanted to bring this up for discussion. She feels she does not need to be a member anymore. Ms. Felton feels everyone should continue to be a member, especially as there will be at least one new board member this fall and they need at least three members to be able to be a member of the Advocacy Board, of which she is a member, and she would like to continue serving in that capacity, and they will lose their voice in the legislative committee if a majority of board members are not FSBA members. Mr. Choate would like for all board members to continue to be members. Mr. Kennedy said there is new material and some is covered each year. Mr. Tatem would stay a member because he has gotten value from it but it should be an individual member’s decision. It is certainly valuable for any new board members. Ms. Felton continued to urge at least three of them to stay, explaining the frustration of members in other districts who do not have a voice in FSBA activities, and urged the continuation of the FSBA initiatives such as advocating for kids. As the newest board member, Ms. Felton said they provided invaluable service. When Mr. Choate asked about where the money would be saved (approximately $5000 per board member) Ms. Sellers explained it is in the school board’s budget. Mr. Choate said it was worth supporting the FSBA’s work by having a Board Membership.
Ms. Felton made a motion to amend to approve FSBA dues for three members. Approved 5-0.
Members Felton, Tatem, and Choate agreed to continue as FSBA members; Spray and Kennedy opted not to.
Annual Discussion and Appointment of Board Member and Alternate to the Florida School Board Association (FSBA) Advocacy Committee (No Financial Impact). Ms. Felton is currently the appointee and Mr. Tatem is the alternate. A motion to keep this arrangement was made. Approved 5-0.
Discussion and Appointment of Value Adjustment Board Members (No Financial Impact). Ms. Spray asked to continue her appointment on this. Mr. Tatem is the alternate. Mr. Brady Chapman is the community member. Approved 5-0.
Approval of Internal Audit Report - Referendum - Ad Valorem Millage - FY 2025-2026. Approved 5-0.
Information Only (No Board Action Required)
Year-to-Date Financial Statements Through February 28, 2026 (No Financial Impact)
Year-to-Date Charter School Financial Statement Summary Through February 28, 2026
Updates
Superintendent Remarks – Dr. Breslin wished Mr. Jensen a happy birthday week. She thanked the Board for help on consent items, including grant amendments, approvals for instructional and testing materials, musical instruments, and PeopleSoft service provider. She traveled to FADSS [Florida Association of District School Superintendents] superintendent conference. It is time for kindergarten round-up so now is the time to sign up our community’s newest learners. The board will have a workshop next week. She thanked Annie Clark for the recognition for Omar Edwards. She honored Coach Shannon and his profound impact on generations in this community.
Legal – Attorney Dye asked the chair and superintendent to stay after the meeting to sign a couple of contracts. He also needs to call a special meeting next week before the Workshop for the Jones Potato Farm contract amendment, adding acreage to the site to total 89.
Instruction – Derek Jensen shared the adage that April showers bring May testing. Almost 24,000 students have completed the B.E.S.T. writing exam already, with more coming soon. Remaining major testing events are coming in May. Arts for All provided a grant and students will be showcasing their art this evening. Twenty middle and high school students competed at the state science fair. Several students from around the county won awards. A STEM competition for elementary schools is coming up for wind-powered boats and yearlong projects. A follow-up survey will go out to families regarding school start times.
Operations – Willie Clark said the operations job fair was well attended. Teacher and para fair is April 25th. Well U is visiting sites with their body scanner. There is an employee incentive plan where they can earn $200 for completing preventative screenings with their medical provider. A survey is going out for wellness needs. April is National Stress Awareness Month. Step challenges are coming up for a four-week period and winners will be recognized. Food & Nutrition Services will highlight their gardens, with outdoor science opportunities and the practice of various skills and healthy eating habits. Transportation is hosting the 30th annual spring driving training for the state.
Ms. Spray said students can purchase ice creams and eat them before their healthy food items, and then they throw away the other food. She asked if there was something that could be done about this. Mr. Clark said he would look into this.
Board Comments
Mr. Kennedy built on the comments about Coach Shannon and shared Shannon’s efforts during the time of desegregation in the late 1960s and how he was brought in to be a bridge between communities and smooth the transition at a time when not everyone welcomed desegregation.
Mr. Choate also honored Coach Shannon and shared how many lives he impacted on the field and in the community. Everybody listened to Coach Shannon; he was a special man and will be missed. It is Master’s Week for those who love golf. It was the foster care summit yesterday, and great things are happening there. He wished everyone good luck with testing and appreciated the work students and teachers have put in.
Ms. Felton thanked the individual board members for continuing their memberships in FSBA and allowing her to continue serving on the advocacy board. She has visited another six schools and has another one scheduled this week. She had the sad but important experience of learning that some of her students’ paths had led them to jail. She shared the date for the memorial and dedication of a section of the preserve in Crane Park, in honor of Carol Ann Felts, on April 18 at 10:00 a.m. She also encouraged students and teachers during testing.
Mr. Tatem appreciated the JROTC presentation. For Military Family Appreciation Month, he shared an Air Force video relating to his previous comment that trust is given, not earned.
Ms. Spray also appreciates the military. The foster care summit yesterday was probably one of her brightest moments serving on the board. It was through the district that she was given a voice. She gave away copies of her book to help people understand what some of these kids have gone through. She mentioned the Golden Herald Awards are coming up.
Meeting adjourned at 12:28 PM.
Chair Spray ran a smooth and efficient meeting. She ably gaveled in and out of the public hearing portion.
In place of the Invocation, Ms. Felton chose a Moment of Silence. Observers have often commented on the lack of participation of a variety of faiths reflected in our community. A Moment of Silence was appropriate.
We noticed Board Members interrupted the flow of a very well-produced JROTC presentation by making lengthy asides or personal comments that could have waited until the presentation was finished. We recommend interrupting only for clarification or repetition, when needed, to avoid disrupting the flow of future presentations.
The discussion of note was whether the School Board as an entity should continue to belong to the Florida School Board Association (FSBA) or whether individual school board members should choose to join. Ms. Spray brought the item forward as a cost savings to the School Board’s budget. It would have been helpful to see what the cost savings would be. In addition, Ms. Felton reminded board members that if the board did not join or if a majority of the individual board members did not join, the Manatee School Board would lose its voice to influence priorities and legislation, such as serving on the advocacy or legislative committees. Mr. Choate emphasized that the school board membership also supports the organization of FSBA, which provides many supports and services beyond what individual board members may choose to participate in, and that the Board should continue to support the organization. By deciding to have individual board members decide whether to join, observers are concerned that an unintended consequence for the future is that FSBA will be weakened and the Manatee School Board’s voice will be silenced.
[LWV Note: Over the years of providing observation notes of the school board meetings, we have watched as new board members become increasingly aware of the complexities of the business of running a school district, from finances, collective bargaining, policy setting, lobbying, and board, chair, board member training. As leaders of the largest educational institution in Manatee County, one would expect its School Board Members to be continually seeking knowledge and skills to increase their efficacy and success. In addition to the resources offered by FSBA, the ability to network with others throughout the state is of great value. The FSBA is the means to that end. We expect teachers and staff members to participate in professional development. To have School Board Members express that they do not need to participate in professional development is arrogant and short sighted. School Board Members should serve as models for those they lead.]
We continue to caution Board Members that all sinus clearing, whispered asides, and other personal noises are distracting and annoying. We would recommend the chair request all meeting participants using the microphones to turn them to the side when not speaking
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