McGonegal responds to criticism

Manatee Superintendent Tim McGonegal, whose contract was renewed through December of 2013 last week, has received criticism from constituents and even some board members in recent weeks. A new group called the Committee for Improving Education of Children in Manatee County, on June 27 held a press conference outside the district’s administrative building and called for the launch of a search for a new superintendent and the investigation of board communications, the district’s relationship with the Manatee Education Foundation and the district’s high per-student administrative costs, among other issues.

McGonegal said the group’s claims regarding district spending and other issues are inaccurate and in many instances stem from unfair comparisons.

Members of CIEC claim the district has the highest administrative costs per student in the state, but McGonegal said the district ranks 40th out of 67 districts, and that changes to 31st of 67 once a $3 million error is corrected.

In Manatee County, for example, the district hires a principal and assistant principal at elementary schools with high enough student populations. In Sarasota County, however, similar schools would have a principal plus a reading coach, a data coach and a behavioral specialist serving in an assistant principal-type capacity. So although Manatee appears to have more administrators, its costs would be lower, McGonegal said.

Additionally, using assistant principals ensures the district has a ready supply of future principals as administrators retire.

“We want to recruit and retain the very best teachers that are available,” McGonegal said.

CIEC members also assert the Manatee County employs 300 more administrators and professionals than comparatively sized districts.

Jim Drake, assistant superintendent of business services, said he plans to meet with a CIEC representative to discuss the groups numbers, because he believes they reflect selective data and that the figures do not include correct employee classifications.

McGonegal said the district has eliminated four departments and reduced district-level personnel costs by $6.1 million since 2007.

District-level operating budgets also have been reduced by $2.8 million since that time, and McGonegal said he is working on another $1.7 million or more in operating cuts for the 2011-2012 school year.