See Manatee superintendent’s message to parents ahead of misconduct investigation
Manatee County Superintendent Laurie Breslin sent a letter to school district families ahead of the publication of an investigation by Bradenton Herald and Suncoast Searchlight reporters.
The article details a slew of arrests, lawsuits and criticism from parents that the School District of Manatee County ignored early warning signs that allowed students to be victimized by teachers and teacher’s aides in local classrooms.
In the letter sent to Manatee County parents Friday evening, Breslin emphasizes the initiatives she’s begun since she took the district’s top job in September, including reinforcement of vetting procedures and mandatory reporting practices, and a training collaboration with local law enforcement.
Superintendent writes letter to Manatee families
Dear Families,
In the coming days, you may see news stories about previous incidents on some of our campuses. While the actions of a few do not reflect the dedication of our educators as a whole, we take every allegation seriously. Our focus is to provide a safe and secure learning environment. As a school district, we have followed all state laws and Florida Department of Education procedures.
As student safety is our highest priority, when concerns are raised, we notify authorities, cooperate fully, and take appropriate action under district policy and state law.
As the school district’s new Superintendent, I quickly worked diligently with our new Executive Director of Human Resources to reinforce procedures across hiring, screening, reporting, and communication. This work includes modifying reference requirements for applicants, dedicating a team member to manage background checks and status, reinforcing mandatory reporting to child-protection authorities and law enforcement and retraining staff on when and how to escalate concerns immediately. We are also expanding training for all employees, in partnership with local law enforcement and child-safety experts. We are improving family communications, so parents receive timely, clear information while we protect student privacy.
If you ever suspect abuse or neglect, please call Florida’s hotline 1‑800‑962‑2873 right away. You can also contact your school administration or our Title IX Office for support and guidance. For more information, visit the school district’s website.
Thank you for your trust and partnership. Our commitment is unwavering: protect students, uphold the highest standards, and communicate with honesty and clarity.
Together, we will move forward with confidence, ensuring each student has a pathway to success in a positive learning environment.
Sincerely,
Dr. Laurie Breslin
Superintendent
This story was originally published December 12, 2025 at 4:16 PM.
