Four Semifinalists Advance in Manatee Schools Superintendent Search
BRADENTON — The School District of Manatee County has narrowed its list of superintendent candidates to four semifinalists following a workshop held Tuesday morning. The Board, with support from the Florida School Board Association (FSBA), selected Dr. Laurie Breslin, David Adams, Luis Solano, and Dr. Misty Mathis to move forward in the search for a new leader of the district.
The meeting, which began at 10 a.m., opened with a shift in agenda order—prioritizing the superintendent search update over a previously scheduled discussion on High School AAA.
The FSBA confirmed that all 15 remaining applicants met the minimum criteria of a master’s degree and 10 years of leadership experience. Candidate Dr. Angela Moton withdrew her application on Friday, reducing the applicant pool from 16.
Board members reviewed applicant materials and made individual selections:
Dr. Laurie Breslin, an internal candidate, received unanimous support from all five board members.
David Adams and Luis Solano each garnered three votes.
Dr. Misty Mathis, with two votes, was also advanced after discussion about her qualifications and community support.
Breslin received high praise in community feedback, with 101 survey comments—nearly 69%—all positive. Mathis also earned praise, with 30 positive comments, accounting for over 20% of total responses.
Board members cited factors such as Florida experience, size of previous districts served, and classroom expertise when weighing candidates. Solano’s background in a large district and his alignment with the district’s preferred qualifications contributed to his advancement.
A new round of community feedback will open Thursday and remain available through August 10. Finalist selection is scheduled for August 12.
Applicants Thomas Ahart, Andrea Roberts, and Mark Merges received one vote each and were not advanced. Nine other applicants received no votes.
More information about the search process and candidate applications is available on the district’s website:
www.manateeschools.net/superintendent-search