Karen Carpenter was unanimously voted the board's new leader Nov. 20

Karen Carpenter, formerly vice chairwoman, is the new chair of the Manatee County School Board, after a unanimous vote Nov. 20. Julie Aranibar, who was nominated by board member Barbara Harvey, was voted the new vice chair.

Bob Gause nominated Carpenter. All but Gause supported Aranibar as vice chair.

Carpenter vowed to fix the district’s budget woes and restore trust in the board.

Former Superintendent Tim McGonegal resigned in September after announcing a $3.4 million deficit in the district’s budget.

“People are unhappy with us,” Carpenter said. “We have to change the way we do business because it was business as usual that got us here. Let’s get to work.”