- December 4, 2025
-
-
Loading
Loading
Todd Richardson, the principal of the new Lake Manatee K-8 school in Lakewood Ranch, has never been much of a "desk guy," so he can't wait for students to arrive Aug. 11 when the 2025-26 school year opens.
Richardson has spent plenty of 8-to-5 days in the office, planning for the new school, which will be the first K-8 school in the district. Richardson, who has 29 years of experience in the district, was chosen for the honor.
“It will be exciting to get back into a school, high-fiving kids, problem solving with teachers, and all that sort of thing,” Richardson said.
He sees his role as a unique opportunity to challenge himself as a leader, and one that will stretch his abilities.
“I just threw my hat in the ring and was lucky enough to be picked,” Richardson said. “This is what I consider a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Brand new schools do not come along as often as we would like or need.”
Richardson’s leadership team includes Assistant Principal Katie Killian, Student Support Specialist Melissa Dowling, Kindergarten Team Lead Kelley Jomisko and Fourth Grade Team Leader Xiomara Cappiello.
Lake Manatee does not currently have a zone, and the district is enrolling students who live within 2 square miles of the campus. The new school should relieve overcrowding at B.D. Gullett Elementary School and Dr. Mona Jain Middle School in Lakewood Ranch.
The neighborhoods are mostly south of State Road 64 between Lorraine Road and Bourneside Boulevard, and no further south than Rangeland Parkway.
Between January and May, the district has enrolled more than 500 students in the new school. Three hundred of those students are coming from Gullett Elementary.
Although teacher shortages have been a common issue nationwide, Richardson said he hired all the new school's teachers quickly. He believes many of the applicants were excited about working at a new school. Fifteen Gullett Elementary teachers transferred to the new school. In May, Richardson had 52 employees hired.
Richardson said some of the new teachers had recently moved to the area, so Lake Manatee K-8 not only will have those teachers, but their children as well.
An example is Chelsey Portaleos, who is from Syracuse, New York. She will be teaching kindergarten at Lake Manatee K-8.
She lives in Star Farms with her husband Shaun and their four children — 18-year-old Camryn, 13-year-old Rocky, 7-year-old Alexander and 3-year-old Sophia.
Lake Manatee K-8 is in Portaleos' backyard and she is excited about the possibilities.
"We have been beyond looking forward to the move," Portaleos said. "Knowing that I can walk to work and not have to deal with the traffic on a daily basis feels like a big win for me."
They had taken Camryn on a college tour at Florida Golf Coast University and on the ride had stumbled upon Star Farms, picking up a flyer for Lake Manatee K-8.
"I reached out and now, I am a very grateful member of the Lake Manatee staff," Portaleos said.
Portaleos' two youngest children will attend Lake Manatee K-8. Alexander will be in second grade and Sophia will attend pre-kindergarten. Portaleos said Sophia will try to run the school.
Richardson told his staff members that they need to learn the campus quickly so they can assist the students who have never been in the building.
“There might be some anxiety, so we have to know it inside and out so that we can convey confidence to our families,” Richardson said. “They can rest assured that when their student gets out of the car in the morning or gets off their bicycle on the sidewalk, that we have control of the situation.”
Richardson stressed that the opening of the new school will be a constant learning experience for everyone involved.
“We're going to have to adjust and go at it the right way," he said. "We can't be frustrated and we have to be invested in everybody's ability to problem solve. That's been my biggest motivation piece — flexibility, flexibility, flexibility.”
Jessie Rey Bock will teach kindergarten at Lake Manatee. She is coming from B. D. Gullet Elementary School.
"Making that impact in a child's life, especially now having my own kids, I think that's extremely important, especially during their foundational years," Bock said. "Learning isn't just about the academics, it's looking at a child as a whole. It's about building confidence, a love for learning, not just with the academics, but in life itself."
A.J. Tovell has worked at Freedom Elementary School for the last three years and will be the art teacher at Lake Manatee.
“I'm probably most nervous about the unknown. New school, new colleagues, and new bosses,” Tovell said. “I consider it positive nerves though, much like right before a performer goes on stage.”
Richardson and Tovell are two of the only male staff members along with head custodian Michael Brabrandt.
“I am very comfortable in my own skin and don't mind it at all,” Tovell said. “The funny thing is that it is so normal that I didn't even realize I was the only male teacher.”
Richardson said that he wouldn’t be surprised if they get more male applicants when they start hiring for the middle school.
“We just don't see a lot of guys going into elementary education anymore,” said Richardson.
Rebekah Lane has been the school counselor at Williams Elementary School for nine years and will hold the same position at Lake Manatee.
“At first glance, I was a little overwhelmed by the size and magnitude of the campus. Walking through it though, it felt safe and familiar,” Lane said. “The space is beautifully designed, inviting, inclusive and will serve so many students over the decades. I still can't believe that I get to be part of that beginning.”
