School Board sets timeline for superintendent hire

Dr. Wayne Blanton, executive director of the Florida School Boards Association, recommended a firm timeline for Manatee County School’s Superintendent search at a Oct. 22 workshop.

Blanton, who repeatedly referred to education as “big business,” emphasized communication and transparency. He laid out a plan and timeline in hiring a new Manatee County Schools Superintendent at a heated public workshop.

As Manatee County Schools face a $3.4 million deficit and a sudden retirement of former Superintendent Tim McGonegal, the board debated the merits of experience versus effectiveness in finding a new leader.

In an ode to the urgency of the search process, interim Superintendent David Gayler vowed to work past his official end date to establish a rapport with his replacement.

Contact Josh Siegel at [email protected].