Manatee County to choose a new superintendent on Tuesday

BRADENTON, Fla. — The School Board of Manatee County is scheduled to select its next superintendent on Tuesday. This will mark the fifth superintendent the district has had in a dozen years.

The two finalists being considered are Dr. Laurie Breslin, who currently serves in the Manatee school district, and Dr. Misty Mathis, who has dedicated her career to the Nassau County school system. The candidates boast similar qualifications, having both worked extensively with the Florida Department of Education, an important factor for the majority of the school board members.

The district’s previous superintendent, Dr. Jason Wysong, was dismissed in May following complaints regarding his communication style and leadership approach. During the recent interview process, board members posed various questions to ensure that the next superintendent would address these issues effectively.

Board Member Richard Tatem inquired about qualities that define a ‘great’ leader. Breslin emphasized the importance of critically evaluating ideas, stating, “Sometimes the correct answer is to respectfully point out that there could be an error in the thinking. A great leader understands that is a necessity in leadership.” Mathis echoed this sentiment by emphasizing the need for collective decision-making. “We have to be willing and able to step back as a team and not continue to move forward just because Dr. Mathis said… or just because the team said,” she remarked.

When asked about their leadership styles, Breslin shared that her experiences have allowed her to grow, making her more comfortable having difficult conversations with her team. “It is a skill that you grow as you move through leadership… and that’s how to have difficult conversations that achieve growth at the end instead of deflating somebody,” she explained. Mathis highlighted her collaborative approach, stating, “I have a core that’s all about shared leadership and collaboration and I’m a unifier of people. I would bring together all the leaders… to make the right decision for our school district.”

Following the selection of the new superintendent, the district has a two-week period to finalize the details of the contract. It is expected that the new superintendent’s contract will be completed by September 9.