Mills paints a bright future for Manatee School District

Manatee County School District Superintendent Rick Mills delivered a “State of the Schools” address Monday at Braden River High School, informing school board members, teachers and staff a week before school opens that he expects big things from the district in the next five years.

Mills presented a 58-page five-year strategic plan for the district that he believes will help it strive for greatness.

Touching on troubled times a year ago that included the district having an $8.9 million deficit, Mills said teachers and staff worked hard to help create a $10.3 million surplus before the 2013-14 fiscal year budget ends.

“This plan puts us on a path to greatness,” Mills said. “We will end up as a top school district in Florida with national recognition.”

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].