The board aims to pick Jason Wysong’s replacement on Aug. 26.
By Noah Vinsky
Original Air Date: August 1, 2025
Dr. Misty Mathis
Host: Over two months after the sudden ousting of superintendent Jayson Wysong, the School Board of Manatee County is winding down the search for his replacement. On Tuesday, the board announced four finalists for the superintendent position. WSLR reporter Noah Vinsky tells us who the candidates are.
Noah Vinsky: In less than two weeks, Manatee County students will be strapping on their backpacks and heading back to school. For now, the School Board of Manatee County is one step closer to selecting its next superintendent. On Tuesday, the board approved four semifinalists: Dr. Laurie Breslin, David W. Adams, Dr. Misty Mathis and Luis B. Solano.
Luis B. Solano
Breslin is the only semifinalist currently employed by the Manatee County School District. She serves as the Executive Director of Student Support and Family Engagement. Adams and Solano are both out-of-state candidates, hailing as veteran school administrators from Maryland and Michigan, respectively. Mathis is the Director of Curriculum for Nassau County Schools just north of Jacksonville.
Dr. Laurie Breslin
The board said only a few candidates met their preferred requirements. Board member Heather Felton said it’s important that they select candidates with experience in a large school district.
Heather Felton: That’s something really important to me, because we are such a large district, that they have experience with something this big.
David W. Adams
NV: The board will select finalists during its meeting on August 12. After public interviews and one-on-ones with board members, the board says it wants to select a new superintendent during its August 26 meeting.
Noah Vinsky for WSLR News.
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