Patrick Bartholomew

The School Board Meeting included several key agenda items and presentations. Student celebrations recognized the Student Attendance Services (SAS) Team and Bradenton Kiwanis for a donation to Samoset Elementary School, the winners of the Constitution Essay Contest, the SDMC Transportation Bus Drivers and Aides for their response following a bus accident, and a National Life Group LifeChanger of the Year nominee. Reports and Presentations covered the 2025-2026 Instructional Materials Adoption Plan for Grades 6-12 World Languages. The Consent Agenda addressed numerous items, including personnel actions, MOU approvals, facility agreements, grant allocations, and capital project change orders for various schools, such as Manatee High School and Parrish Community High School. New Business involved the authorization of Certificate of Participation issuances (Series 2026A and 2026B), the amendment to the Master-Lease Purchase Agreement, approval of budget amendments for July and August 2025, renewal of Stop Loss Insurance, ratification of the MEA Collective Bargaining Agreement, approval of 2025-2026 salary schedules with retroactive pay provision, and approval of the Parrish Classical Preparatory Academy Contract. The Board also approved publishing draft redistricting maps following an upcoming workshop. The meeting of the Leasing Corporation addressed several corporate resolutions related to the Series 2026A and 2026B Certificates. Updates were provided on instruction, operations, and legal matters, including the status of the Jones Farm land purchase extension.

The Reorganization Meeting addressed the restructuring of the School Board leadership, including the election of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman. Following the reorganization, the Board set the schedule for the 2025-2026 Regular Meetings, making an amendment to the previously distributed draft calendar. A decision was reached to schedule School Board Workshops for 10 AM every Tuesday following a regular meeting. The Board also discussed and made initial recommendations for the 2025-2026 Board Committee Assignments. Subsequently, the meeting recessed to hold the Annual Meeting of the Manatee School Board Leasing Corporation, where the officers for that corporation were approved, with the School Board Chair serving as President and the Superintendent as Secretary/Treasurer. The reorganization session was then reconvened, concluding without further comments from the Superintendent or Board members.

The workshop focused on several key operational and student-related areas. Discussions included student support data, specifically focusing on the Attendance Project, updated truancy procedures, and legislative requirements concerning school attendance. The Board engaged in detailed discussions regarding the costs associated with truancy processes and the collaboration with county social services for student re-engagement. Further topics involved Manatee County graduation rates, alternative instruction sites such as The Port Academy and the Juvenile Detention Center, and a decision not to pursue a contract with Accelerated Academies at this time. An update was provided on the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) data concerning the rising cost of living and need for assistance in the county. Additionally, a proposal for Workforce Housing, including teacher housing development in partnership with One Stop Housing and the Manatee Education Foundation, was reviewed, with the Board agreeing to proceed with due diligence. The final segment covered the Florida Educator Health Trust (FLEHT), where the Board expressed interest in further investigation regarding potential cost savings and participation.

The board meeting commenced with the reading of the District Vision, invocation, and the first Veteran Led Pledge of Allegiance. Key discussion points included presentations on the Victims of Communism Florida Scholarship Program, the Annual Farm City Week celebrating the local agriculture industry, and Holocaust Education Week programming. A significant portion of the meeting involved a presentation and discussion regarding a proposed partnership with the Police Athletic League (PAL) for a new community center, which resulted in unanimous approval to move forward with negotiations. The consent agenda covered numerous items, including staff appointments, out-of-field reports, a legal matter resolution, declaration of surplus portables, adoption of several grant funds (UniSIG, Heroes in the Classroom, IDEA Part B), and various capital projects change orders and agreements for multiple schools (Rye Ranch Elementary, Lakewood Ranch High School, Manatee High School, Oneco Elementary School). The Leasing Corporation convened briefly to approve a Facilities Agreement. New business included the approval of September 2025 budget amendments, the evaluation of the Board's legal firm for 2024-2025, and the preliminary approval to advertise the name Veterans Elementary School for the new facility near Artisan Lakes. Updates were provided on instruction, operations, and Superintendent remarks covered recent student achievements and community programs.

The School Board Meeting commenced with the reading of the District Vision, invocation, and presentation of the Colors by the Lakewood Ranch High School JROTC. The agenda was approved as amended to include the 2025-2026 FAST Progress Monitoring 2 (PM2) Mathematics Assessment Results. Significant recognition was given to award-winning JROTC programs from Parrish Community High School, Bayshore High School, and Braden River High School for their state competition wins. Awards were also presented to Braden River Middle School and Johnson K-8 as WozEd Pathway Schools, and recognition was held for the certification of Manatee Elementary Community Partnership School. The main presentation covered the 2025-2026 FAST PM2 Mathematics Assessment Results. The consent agenda addressed numerous items, including personnel actions, an expulsion order, teacher out-of-field reports, grant fund acceptances, new agreements with external entities, disposition of surplus property, facility remediation costs, E-Rate equipment proposals, lobbying services renewal, paint booth equipment bids, and various construction/renovation change orders and approvals related to district schools. New Business included the approval of budget amendments for November 2025, the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for FY 2025, acceptance of the State Auditor General's Operational Audit Report, approval of the GFCSB Federal Legislative Program, and authorizations for School Board members to travel for legislative events. Information-only items included year-to-date financial statements. Updates were provided on instructional services and operations.