Deadline passes for Manatee Schools top job

The deadline to apply for the Manatee County Schools Superintendent position passed Wednesday.

As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, 28 people applied. The district hadn't formally received applications from two more people who expressed interest. The application deadline was 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Applicants come from Florida, including two from Bradenton, and as far away as West Virginia, New York and Washington D.C.

The district is replacing Tim McGonegal, who resigned Sept. 10 shortly after he revealed a budget shortfall of $8 million.

David Gayler, a retired superintendent from Charlotte County Schools, has served as the interim leader since October.

Gayler issued a statement on the closing of the application process.

"We are very pleased at the number of applications that we have received for the position of Superintendent of Manatee County Schools, Gayler said. “Our next step is to assemble all of the application materials and present them to our Citizens Advisory Group and School Board members for their review. All of the information will also be posted on our school district website at www.manateeschools.net as soon as it is available for the community to view."

The board is expected to vote to hire the new superintendent sometime next month.

The next superintendent would start in March or April.