EDUCATION SPOTLIGHT: Matt Susin Elected to Chair of the Brevard Public Schools Board
By Space Coast Daily // November 23, 2022
BOARD MEMBER Megan Wright elected vice chair
Brevard County School Board member Matt Susin’s relentless efforts have had a huge impact on safeguarding and promoting the health and wellbeing of students of all ages on the Space Coast. A dedicated philanthropist, in 2019, Susin was recognized as a Central Florida Humanitarian for his extensive efforts on behalf of the children and needy of Brevard County.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Newly-elected Brevard County School Board members Gene Trent and Megan Wright made an immediate impact on the direction of Brevard County public schools by voting for sitting BPS board member Matt Susin to the Chairmanship of the board.
After electing Susin as BPS board chair in a 3-2 vote, Trent, Wright, and Susin immediately moved to fire Dr. Mark Mullins, who has been BPS superintendent since June 2018.
Voting for Susin as chair were Gene Trent, Megan Wright and Susin. Voting nay was Kaite Campbell and Jennifer Jenkins.
Megan Wright was then elected vice chair by the same 3-2 voting block.
Susin’s relentless efforts have had a huge impact on safeguarding and promoting the health and well-being of students of all ages on the Space Coast.
He has spearheaded the first policy in Florida to make it mandatory for all Brevard Public Schools athletes to take an EKG/ECG before playing sports.
More than 4,000 students were tested the first year, and eight were flagged for an extreme heart condition and had corrective surgery.
He was recognized by the Space Coast Economic Development with the organization’s Public Servant of the Year Award for his work as the chairman of the Certified Production Technician program, in which more than 300 graduates received 16 hours of college credit and 87 percent found job placement in manufacturing.
Susin received recognition as the Public Service Award/School Board Member of the Year for successfully implementing the largest jobs program in the state of Florida for high school students.
A dedicated philanthropist, in 2019, Susin was recognized as a Central Florida Humanitarian for his extensive efforts on behalf of the children and needy of Brevard County.
He has raised funds for Promise of Brevard and the Children’s Hunger Project through his efforts as a board member with the Great Taste of Suntree. Through the Power with Pizza Charities, he has led the effort to rubberize Viera High School’s running track that raised more than $100,000.
When a catastrophic earthquake struck Haiti, he raised $8,000 to fly water filtration systems into the area after the earthquake decimated the country.
His extensive community involvement includes the Space Coast Economic Development Council, Board of Directors/Chairman CPT Committee; Space Coast Machinist and Apprenticeship–Board Member; Space Coast Tech Council–Manufacturing Committee Chair; Take Stock in Children–Board Member; Suntree Rotary–Board Member and District 6390 Youth Services Chair; Jefferson Awards for Public Service; and Harry T. Moore Civil Rights program director Space Coast High School.
Susin’s service awards include the Public Service Award–Federal Department of Education; School Board Member of the Year; Champion of the Year for outstanding commitment to Heart Health of Athletes; Rotarian of the Year; Veterans of Foreign Wars Citizenship Education Teacher Award; Jefferson Award for Public Service; Sea World Environmental Excellence Award; Daughters of the American Revolution–American History Teacher of the Year; Brevard Coach of the Year–undefeated wrestling season; Aand Walmart Teacher of the Year.
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