(Bradenton, FL – May 15, 2026) Superintendent Dr. Laurie Breslin announced the following school principal changes for the 2026-2027 school year, pending School Board approval. The new positions are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.
“As we work to finish this school year on a strong note, we are already planning for next year,” said Dr. Breslin. “We are pleased to announce these administrative updates about our inspiring leaders who will continue to build on our tradition of excellence in serving our students and families.”
School Administrative Changes
Principal of Manatee Elementary School: Dr. Terra J. Ward.
Dr. Ward brings more than a decade of educational leadership experience to her new role as Principal of Manatee Elementary School. She currently serves as Assistant Director of Professional Learning and Human Resources for the School District of Manatee County, where she has led districtwide efforts to strengthen teacher development, mentorship, and leadership pipelines.
Previously, Dr. Ward served as Assistant Principal at both Bashaw Elementary and Ballard Elementary schools, where she helped drive school improvement, build strong instructional systems, and foster a culture of collaboration and high expectations.
Dr. Ward holds a Doctorate in Curriculum and Teaching from National University, along with a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Florida A&M University and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Flagler College.
She is widely recognized for her commitment to student achievement, staff development, and creating inclusive school environments where all students and educators can thrive.
Principal of Freedom Elementary School: Greg Sander.
Principal Sander is excited to serve as the Freedom Elementary School Principal. He is bringing with him 29 years of experience as an educator in Manatee County. He was born in Oneota, N.Y., and is a graduate of Manatee County Schools, having attended Stewart Elementary School, Martha B. King Middle School, and Manatee High School.
He earned my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Furman University, where he also played collegiate football, and later completed a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of South Florida.
His career has included teaching second grade at Prine Elementary School, serving as a Technology Specialist at Haile Middle School, and teaching grades two through five at Moody Elementary School. He later served as Assistant Principal at Orange Ridge-Bullock Elementary School and Wakeland Elementary School of International Studies, an International Baccalaureate (IB) campus. He also served as Principal of Sea Breeze Elementary School from 2015 to 2021 and most recently as Principal of Prine Elementary School from 2021 to 2026.
Outside of school, Principal Sander enjoys spending time with my wife, Michelle, and his children, Gage and Delaney. Michelle is currently a first grade teacher at Myakka Elementary School.
Principal of Prine Elementary School: Dr. Xhuljeta Gjini.
Pronounced [Julie-etta Jeannie], Dr. Gjini has served as the proud Principal of Freedom Elementary School for the last two years. She is an experienced instructional leader focused on supporting students and families.
Prior to Manatee County, Dr. Gjini lived in Orange County, Florida, where she served as Principal at Chickasaw Elementary from 2019 to 2024.
Prior to that, she was an Assistant Principal at MetroWest Elementary from 2017 to 2019 and an Instructional Literacy Coach at Riverside Elementary from 2016 to 2017.
She also served as an Instructional Literacy Coach at Forest City Elementary in Seminole County from 2013-2016. Dr. Gjini earned her Doctorate in 2011 from The Ohio State University.
Principal of Buffalo Creek Middle School: Jessica Kane.
Principal Kane is a dedicated and results-driven educational leader with extensive experience in K–12 administration, student support, and instructional leadership. Currently serving as Principal at Palm View K–8 in Manatee County, Florida, she has built a strong reputation for fostering student achievement, leading high-performing teams, and creating systems that support both academic and behavioral success.
She was honored as Assistant Principal of the Year for Manatee County in 2023, in recognition of her exceptional leadership, commitment to students, and impact on school culture and performance.
Throughout her career, Principal Kane has demonstrated expertise in school operations, including developing master schedules, overseeing testing programs, managing ESE departments, and implementing effective school-wide procedures. She has evaluated and coached teachers and staff, ensuring continuous improvement in instruction and student outcomes. Her leadership extends to district-level involvement, including participation in the Code of Conduct Committee and mentoring aspiring school leaders.
Prior to her Palm View K-8, she served as Assistant Principal at Martha B. King Middle School, where she led MTSS initiatives, coordinated testing, and successfully guided schools through the challenges of online learning and COVID protocols. Earlier roles include Dean of Students, Student Support Specialist, ESE Department Chair, and ESE Teacher, where she improved student achievement, including significantly increasing math performance among ESE students. With a strong foundation in instructional leadership, problem-solving, and strategic planning, Principal Kane is committed to creating positive school environments where all students and educators can thrive.
The current principal of Buffalo Creek Middle School, Brad Scarbrough, who has led the school for seven years, has accepted the position of Assistant Director for the Manatee Technical College East campus.
Principal of Palm View K-8: Dr. Lisandra Tayloe.
Dr. Lisandra Tayloe is the current Assistant Principal of the Year for the School District.
Dr. Tayloe is an accomplished educational leader with a strong commitment to student achievement and school improvement. She earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Florida Southern College and a Master of Education in Educational Administration from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Tayloe has served in school leadership since 2020 and joined the School District of Manatee County in January 2022 as Assistant Principal at Louise R. Johnson K-8 School of International Studies.
For the past two years, she has proudly served as Assistant Principal at Lincoln Memorial Middle School. A proud resident of Manatee County, Dr. Tayloe is deeply dedicated to fostering a positive, rigorous, and student-centered learning environment within the community she calls home.