Manatee School Board approves Lori Breslin’s contract, swears in new superintendent after debate over posting and bonus clause

The School Board of Manatee County voted unanimously on Sept. 9 to approve a contract for Lori Breslin as superintendent and immediately swore her into office.

Board attorney Don Dye summarized the contract to the board before the vote. Dye said the contract’s term runs from the date of approval through June 30, 2028, and provides a base salary of $245,000. He described other elements that mirror typical senior-administrator terms: 25 paid vacation days (accumulate to a 60-day cap), one sick day per month (accrual and partial cash-out provisions), a $650 monthly auto allowance, a $400 monthly expense reimbursement, participation in district health insurance and standard disability coverage, and six personal leave days per year.

Dye also described newly added performance-pay language and other provisions. The contract includes a $10,000 annual bonus tied to district performance benchmarks with an additional $2,500 bonus if the graduation rate reaches 90 percent or higher. Dye said the termination-without-cause period was shortened to a 30-day notice (from 90 in the prior contract) and that severance entitlements remain subject to applicable state law caps. The parties agreed to revisit extension no later than March 31, 2028.

The contract vote followed a contentious exchange earlier in the meeting over transparency and timing. Board Member Bray said she received the contract late (her account: she received a draft the previous evening and an amendment the morning of the meeting) and moved to postpone the item to the Sept. 16 meeting to allow more public review; that proposed amendment to pull the item from the agenda failed 4–1. During debate on the contract itself, Board Member Tatum proposed striking paragraph 7.7, the performance-bonus language, expressing concern about incentive pay for the superintendent in a public agency; that motion to remove paragraph 7.7 failed on a 2–3 vote. After discussion the board approved the contract by a 5–0 vote and then held a public swearing-in ceremony; Breslin took the oath immediately and addressed the board and audience.

Board attorney Dye’s spoken summary to the board and the record of questions and votes provided the principal public description of the contract’s terms. Key provisions recorded in the meeting include a $245,000 base salary; auto allowance ($650/month); expense allowance ($400/month); standard administrator insurance and retirement provisions; sick and vacation accrual and cash-out rules; a 30‑day notice period for resignation or termination without cause; disability coverage procedures; and performance-pay language described above.

Votes and motions - Motion to postpone/pull agenda item 8.1 (move contract to Sept. 16): failed (4–1 against postponement). - Motion to approve the superintendent contract (Lori Breslin): passed 5–0. - Motion to amend contract to remove paragraph 7.7 (performance bonus): failed 2–3.

Quotes - Don Dye, board attorney, summarizing the term and salary: “The term would be from today's date to 06/30/2028. Base salary is 245,000.” - Rachel Sellers, speaking earlier on budget context relevant to compensation: (presentation excerpts cited in meeting materials). - Superintendent (designate) Lori Breslin, after taking the oath: “This is a privilege... I know we have our one-on-ones coming up in the near future and I look forward to further conversation.”

Board members said the discussion over the posting and timing should inform future practice: several members suggested a standing policy that a finalized contract be made available to the full board and the public a specified number of days before a vote. The district’s general counsel confirmed that the process used for posting and voting did not violate statutory requirements.

Ending Breslin was sworn in at the meeting and briefly addressed the board and audience. The board and district staff said they will follow up on implementation details and on the suggested policy discussion about timelines and public posting of future executive contracts.