Laurie Breslin is unanimous choice for Manatee School Superintendent
By Jim DeLa
The Manatee County School Board Tuesday selected one of their own to lead the district as its new Superintendent.
Dr. Laurie Breslin, executive director for Student Support and Family Engagement, was the board’s unanimous choice over the other finalist, Dr. Misty Mathis, of the Nassau County School District.
Contract negotiations will now begin, with a finalized agreement expected on Sept. 9.
“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,” Breslin said after the vote.
“This is my home. It will forever by my home. I will retire here in Manatee County, so it means very much to me to see our school district be all it can be.“
All board members praised both candidates, but the fact that Breslin has worked in the Manatee County School District for the last four years carried weight.
Board member Heather Felton said it was difficult decision. " I could see myself working well with either of them," she said. “Dr. Breslin edges out Dr. Mathis just a little bit. She knows everyone. I believe she would have an easier time getting into the role.”
“Dr. Breslin, she was a front runner for me from the beginning,” board member Charlie Kennedy said. “She is a positive influence wherever she goes. On a professional level, that skill set really came through; her intelligence, her empathy. This is a really proud night for us.”
“As a former teacher and now as a board member, I value Dr. Breslin’s perspective,” Heather Felton said. “She has walked in the shoes of our families and educators, and I believe that will help her make thoughtful, student-centered decisions.”
Breslin has served as executive director of Student Support and Family Engagement for the School District of Manatee County. Over her career, she has also worked as a principal, assistant principal, and curriculum director in both Manatee and Sarasota schools.
With more than a decade of service in Manatee, Breslin is known for her local roots, her commitment to transparency, and her advocacy for teachers.
Mathis is the executive director of Curriculum and Instruction for Nassau County Schools, a role she has held since 2021. Under her leadership, Nassau achieved the No. 1 overall ranking in Florida for the 2024–25 school year.
Mathis has built a reputation for data-driven planning and record-setting academic results, backed by her experience in strategic research and districtwide improvement.