Finding a new superintendent tops to-do list for Manatee school officials
The school year is ending for students and teachers, but Manatee County school officials will be busy this summer.
The school board’s first order of business is finding a new superintendent.
Last week, in a meeting that caught several members of the school board off guard, the board voted 3-2 to terminate the contract of former Superintendent Dr. Jason Wysong.
Despite praise about increased graduation rates and improvements in educational metrics across the board, even from board members who ultimately voted for his removal, complaints about poor communication from Wysong won out.
The school board has scheduled a meeting Thursday to begin discussing the future of the position. Right now, current District Chief of Staff Kevin Chapman is serving as interim superintendent.
Chapman said despite the shake up, it’s still business as usual as the school year comes to an end.
“The school board is talking about starting that search here soon,” he said. “Probably get a new permanent superintendent in by the start of school by August. But for right now we are plugging right along, finishing strong. Finishing the school year strong.”
“And spending the summer doing all the work of planning a budget, summer school, getting our schools ready to get back to school.”
And among the challenges that await the new superintendent are redistricting and transportation complaints.
The Manatee district is home to 42,000 students and continues to see significant growth.