(BRADENTON, FL – June 10, 2026) The School District of Manatee County is announcing the following administrative changes for the 2026-2027 school year, pending School Board approval.
Joshua Bennett, Director of Exceptional Student Education (ESE), will become an Executive Director of Elementary Schools.
Mike Mullen, Principal of Martha B. King Middle School, will become the Principal of Lakewood Ranch High School.
Karen Erikzon, Assistant Principal of Blackburn Elementary School, will become the Principal of Oneco Elementary School. Ms. Erikzon previously served as an assistant principal at Oneco Elementary School for three years. Current principal Scott Flynn is leaving for an external position.
Rudy Keezer, Principal of Ballard Elementary School, will become the Principal of Blanche H. Daughtrey Elementary School. Melissa McCullough, Principal of Daughtrey Elementary School, will become an assistant principal within the School District.
Nicole Meo, Associate Director of ESE, will become the Interim Director of ESE.
The School District will post the following positions this week for applications:
Martha B. King Middle School Principal
Ballard Elementary School Elementary School Principal
“These leaders have demonstrated a strong commitment to serving our students, staff, and families, and we are confident they will continue to make a meaningful impact in their new roles,” said Superintendent Dr. Laurie Breslin.
Meet the Leaders Accelerating:
Joshua Bennett: Mr. Bennett began his career in education as an Exceptional Student Education (ESE) teacher from 1999 to 2006, serving in self-contained, inclusion, and resource classrooms.
He then transitioned into administrative roles, working as an Assistant Principal at Marjorie Kinnan Elementary and Bayshore Elementary, where he successfully guided professional learning and established positive behavioral support systems.
Mr. Bennett subsequently spent nearly 14 years as an elementary school Principal. From 2010 to 2019, he led William H. Bashaw Elementary through a transition to become a fully integrated STEAM school, and from 2019 to 2024, he transformed Braden River Elementary into a School of Innovation featuring Project Based Learning and Dual-Language Programming.
Building on his extensive school-level leadership, Mr. Bennett was appointed Director of Exceptional Student Education for the Manatee County School District in July 2024, where he currently leads massive transformational changes in systems, behavior supports, and inclusion practices across the district.
Mike Mullen: Principal Mullen is returning to “The Ranch,” bringing more than two decades of educational experience to his role as Principal of Lakewood Ranch High School. His career with the School District of Manatee County includes service as a former assistant principal, Lakewood Ranch High School teacher, and varsity head coach.
A strong communicator, Mr. Mullen prioritizes clear, consistent engagement with students, staff, families, and community partners, fostering relationships that support student success and school pride. He is known for building positive, collaborative school cultures where both students and staff thrive, strengthening school identity, and increasing community involvement through a shared commitment to high expectations.
Most recently, Mr. Mullen served as principal of Martha B. King Middle School for four years, where he reestablished a strong Parent Association and School Advisory Council and led efforts to raise the school’s grade from a “C” to a “B.” He also previously served as an assistant principal at Bayshore High School and as an athletic/activities director in the Polk County School District.
Mr. Mullen is a data-driven leader who uses performance data to guide decision-making, improve instructional practices, and support student achievement. His focus on continuous improvement has resulted in measurable gains in school performance and student outcomes.
A proud supporter of the Lakewood Ranch community, all three of Principal Mullen’s children are graduates of Lakewood Ranch High School.
He holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science Education from Florida Southern College.
Karen Erikzon: Principal Erikzon brings more than two decades of experience in education and a strong connection to the Oneco Elementary School community as she steps into her new role as Principal.
She previously served as assistant principal at Oneco Elementary School from 2020 to 2024 and as a fifth-grade teacher, giving her a deep understanding of its students, staff, and families.
Most recently, Ms. Erikzon has served as Assistant Principal at Blackburn Elementary, where she supported school operations, instructional leadership, and campus improvement efforts.
Throughout her career, she has also held district-level roles in curriculum and instruction and federal programs, providing professional development, supporting Title I initiatives, and guiding data-driven instructional practices across multiple schools.
Principal Erikzon holds advanced degrees in educational leadership, curriculum, and instruction. Her leadership is rooted in a commitment to student achievement, strong relationships, and collaborative school culture, making her well-positioned to lead Oneco Elementary School into its next chapter of success.
Rudy Keezer: Principal Keezer is an accomplished educational leader currently serving as principal of Ballard Elementary School in Manatee County. Since 2021, he has led significant improvements in student achievement, raising the school’s grade, and fostering a positive, student-centered school culture.
Under his leadership, Ballard Elementary has become a model for innovation, earning recognition for its STEM programming and serving as a pilot site for multiple district and state initiatives. He has expanded academic opportunities for students, strengthened staff collaboration, and built strong community partnerships that provide critical support to students and families.
Mr. Keezer brings a strong background in instructional leadership, having previously served as an assistant principal and curriculum specialist for science, STEM, and physical education in Manatee County. In these roles, he supported districtwide academic improvement efforts and helped implement data-driven instructional practices.
He also served as an instructional mentor and master trainer for Hillsborough County Public Schools, where he coached educators and administrators, led professional development for hundreds of staff members, and supported the growth of effective teaching practices.
Mr. Keezer holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from National Louis University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Government from Eastern Washington University. He is dedicated to creating a culture of high expectations, strong relationships, and success for every student.
Nicole Meo: During the last two years, Ms. Meo has served as the Associate Director of Exceptional Student Education for the School District of Manatee County, where she has provided strategic leadership and oversight for ESE programs across district schools.
Before advancing to district administration, she spent nearly a decade as an Assistant Principal for an ESE Center School. There, she held multiple administrative roles. Ms. Meo’s administrative leadership is grounded in her extensive background as a classroom teacher.
Throughout her career, she has taught kindergarten through post-graduate age students across multiple settings. Her exceptional dedication in the classroom earned her the prestigious title of Teacher of the Year at Oak Park School in 2018.
Ms. Meo holds a Master of Arts in School Leadership and a Bachelor of Science in Special Education. Her comprehensive experience at both the instructional and administrative levels makes her an outstanding choice to lead and support our exceptional student programs.