BRADENTON, Fla. — Interviews with the top two candidates for the next superintendent in Manatee County are taking place Monday, as school board members prepare to make their pick.
This will be the School District of Manatee County’s fifth superintendent in a dozen years.
Originally, the field was narrowed to four candidates. Now, school board members will pick between Dr. Laurie Breslin and Dr. Misty Mathis.
Breslin is the internal candidate and currently works as the executive director of student support & family engagement for Manatee Schools. She worked her way up from a teacher and became assistant principal at Manatee High and Palmetto High before leaving to work as a principal in Sarasota County.
She then returned to Manatee County to work in different leadership roles.
Jill Harden used to work alongside Breslin at Manatee High.
“I don’t think anybody would have something negative to say about her,” Harden said. “You can rarely say that about people, honestly.”
She said Breslin was always easy to work with and has a positive attitude.
“If you don’t understand the way the county works… you have may have a hard time dealing with the county,” Harden explained. “She is from here! So she is very aware of how the county works, and that’s why she had to go outside of the county for a little to do what they needed. She’s back – and I’m so glad she is.”
Candidates for the superintendent position in Manatee County.
Dr. Misty Mathis is the executive director of curriculum and instruction for Nassau County schools. She started her career as a teacher and then became principal of two separate elementary schools in Nassau County. She also worked for years as the director of exceptional student education.
Mandy Conner, who has a daughter with special needs, says Mathis cares for people in such a deep way.
“I’ve been in meetings with Misty and five other special needs families, and she sat on the phone with us for 4 hours to talk about each parent’s problem. That is incredible to take that kind of time after hours… to talk to your parents. Then to know she’s supporting her teachers too,” she said.
Conner says she is very organized and has so much passion.
“I think passion is what needs to drive anyone in an educational role, and passion is what she has,” Conner explained.
The two candidates will take part in panel-style interviews on Monday. They will be live-streamed here.
The candidates will also be at a meet & greet on Monday from 6:15 – 7:45 p.m. at Manatee Technical College located at 6305 State Road 70 E. Anyone in the community is invited to attend.
Angie Angers
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