'Champion for academic excellence' decides to run for Manatee school board

For 72-year-old Margi Nanney, every time a school board election rolls around, she has considered running.

She said she is no politician, but instead a self-described “champion for academic excellence.” She said running for a school board seat is a matter of giving back.

“It's an extension of what I've been doing my whole life,” Nanney said. “I see the district through the eyes of a mother, a grandmother, a volunteer, a teacher and an administrator. I feel like I can be a much stronger voice for District 2 to be able to take us to the next level and get us to the A district.” 

Nanney, a longtime Manatee County resident and retired educator, made the decision to run for the District 2 seat on the school board for the School District of Manatee County for the first time. She has a wide range of experience within the school system and beyond. She often watches video of school board meetings and workshops when she can’t sleep.

Born in 1953 and raised in Sarasota from age 8, she graduated from Sarasota High School in 1972 and attended the University of South Florida where she earned two bachelors degrees in fine arts and art education. She began her professional life as Cardinal Mooney High School’s first art teacher in 1977. 

From 2004 to 2013, Nanney was the supervisor of communications and public information officer for the School District of Manatee County. Her time as a district public information officer involved crisis communications and media relations across the region and she said those experiences sharpened her ability to respond quickly and transparently in high‑pressure situations.

After leaving her role in communications, she held a variety of positions within the Manatee school district including as a long term substitute teacher, a technical education teacher, a paraprofessional and a graduation enhancement technician.

Having been a teacher herself, Nanney said she understands that teachers have a heavy load placed on them. She is appreciative of the extra tax that the residents pay to help the district improve students'' education. However, she said she wants to find ways to bring more “people power.”

She wants district level staff members to spend more time inspiring teachers, making them feel appreciated, and engaging in more face-to-face time with students.

Nanney’s children, James and Mark Nanney, both grew up attending Oneco Elementary School, Harlee Middle School, and graduating from Southeast High School.

“We have got to be lean at the top and heavy in the classroom with money, because that is our product,” Nanney said. “Those students are our product, and we have to recruit and retain the most talented teachers. We have to have leaders who can create energy in the school and keep that momentum going.” 

She wants to improve the number of volunteers and find mentorships or partnerships with people or organizations for after-school programs.

Nanney has spent time volunteering with students as a Technology Student Association advisor at Southeast High School from 2006-2010 and 2022-2025. She also did the same with Formula One in Schools as an advisor for 13 years and has been a judge and consultant since 2014.

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Nanney also emphasized the importance of guidance counselors and career readiness. She questioned whether a sufficient amount of time is spent to talk to every student at every high school. 

“I have this slogan, ‘Building Pathways to Success’ and I'll tell you the reason for that,” Nanney said. “Some students will become doctors and some students will fix your car. They're both equally as important.”

Nanney said she hopes to help provide more hands on-tactile learning such as outdoor classrooms at schools as part of a special program. 

“I'm concerned about screen time whether it's at home or in the classroom,” Nanney said. “Hands-on learning and face-to-face learning is the optimum technique to use to get the best learning for our students.”

Nanney said it is important for everyone who votes to be informed about each of the candidates, such as what they stand for, how broad is their knowledge, and whether or not they check all of the boxes for what is needed to be a productive member of the school board. She said her experience and her deep-rooted connections with the community make her a qualified candidate.