Manatee County Schools select new superintendent

Final vote on new Manatee superintendent

The search for a new superintendent in Manatee County is down to two finalists, with a decision expected Tuesday. FOX 13?s Mariah Harrison reports.

BRADENTON, Fla. - School board members in Manatee County selected its newest superintendent on Tuesday. 

They selected Dr. Laurie Breslin, who is Manatee County Schools' current executive director of student support and family engagement – pending approval of her contract. She's expected to step into the role in early September. 

The backstory:

Dr. Breslin graduated within the Manatee County School District and began her career as a teacher at Southeast High and Manatee High schools, according to officials. She later served as an assistant principal at Manatee High, Palmetto High, and Booker High in Sarasota before she served as principal of Sarasota Middle School. 

She later returned to Manatee County in leadership roles, including the director of secondary curriculum, executive director of curriculum, instruction & assessment and executive director of student support & family engagement. The district said she's also served in the community as vice chair of the Take Stock in Children Board of Directors and served on the board of Parenting Matters. 

Dig deeper:

The contract of former Manatee County School District Superintendent Jason Wysong was terminated in May 2025. School Board members voted 3-2 to terminate the contract without cause and the search for Wysong's replacement started the following month.

Board members whittled down their list of candidates to two finalists in early August to Dr. Misty Mathis and Dr. Laurie Breslin.

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Both finalists sat for rigorous and in-depth interviews with Board members on Monday, August 18, answering questions covering a wide range of topics, including identifying areas of improvement for the district and explaining their vision or the future of the Manatee County School District.

What they're saying:

"I am deeply honored by the trust the School Board has placed in me, and I am humbled to serve the community that shaped me as both a student and an educator. I am committed to building on our strengths, listening to our families, and ensuring every child has a path to success. This is more than a professional responsibility—it is a personal calling," said Dr. Breslin in a statement after being selected.

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What's next:

Board members of the School District of Manatee County will begin contract negotiations immediately, to be finalized on September 9.