Manatee superintendent search ongoing as students return to school

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — As students return to school on Monday in Manatee County, the district is still without a superintendent.

Currently, the Manatee County School District has narrowed its nationwide search down to four people. But on Tuesday, the board will meet and determine which candidates they will move forward with.

In May, the school board voted 3 to 2 to terminate former Superintendent Dr. Jason Wysong’s contract. His termination agreement states he will be employed with the district through mid-August, serving only as an administrative transitional consultant.

The final decision on who the superintendent will be is now expected to be announced on Aug. 26. But the district says it wants the community’s input before deciding which finalist gets the job.

Manatee County School District Interim Superintendent Kevin Chapman, who stepped into the role from his position as chief of staff with the district, says it’s important for parents to get involved.

“The parents are also our stakeholder, and our major customers, if you will. So, the process needs to be very open, transparent, a lot of good communication. And make sure that, you know, parents have the opportunity to get involved. And, you know, they obviously want to know who’s going to lead the school system. And so, we’ve made that as easy as possible,” said Chapman.

There will be a community event that will allow people the chance to meet the finalists happening on Aug. 18 at 6:15 p.m. at Manatee Technical College on State Road 70.