Manatee County Dismisses Superintendent Despite Academic Progress

BRADENTON, Fla. — In a surprising special meeting held Tuesday morning, the School Board of Manatee County voted 3-2 to terminate the contract of superintendent Dr. Jason Wysong. This decision came despite previous praise for Wysong’s role in improving graduation rates and overall educational metrics, even from board members who later supported his removal. The primary motivation for the vote centered around issues of poor communication attributed to Wysong.

Board members Richard Tatem and Heather Felton expressed confusion regarding the urgency of the 9 a.m. meeting, with Felton stating, “I don’t know why we’re here.”

Board member Charlie Kennedy revealed that he had met with Wysong weeks prior, indicating that he felt Wysong’s time in the position was nearing its end. However, when pressed for specifics, Kennedy opted to remain vague, citing a desire to avoid potential complications.

Kennedy conveyed that his concerns about Wysong dated back to early 2023, hinting at discomfort with Wysong’s compensation package at the time of hiring, which he felt was inappropriate. He also recalled instances during meetings, where he felt ignored, describing a moment when Wysong “dozed off” during a candidate meeting.

Further, Kennedy expressed his dissatisfaction with Wysong’s dismissive response when he raised the concerns of a parent and a teacher, labeling it as “rude.” Additionally, he mentioned that both he and a concerned parent had trouble receiving responses to their emails from the superintendent.

Board Chair Chad Choate III, who had opposed Wysong’s hiring from the outset, shared similar sentiments regarding leadership misalignment. Tatem, however, advocated for a more measured approach, suggesting the board should provide Wysong an opportunity to address the noted issues before moving to terminate.

“You could at least try counseling before you go through the divorce,” Tatem advised, reflecting on the positive evaluations of Wysong’s performance from the previous year. He argued that Wysong had achieved notable success in communication and community engagement, prompting concern about the message the board’s decision could convey to district employees.

“What message does that send to the rest of the workforce if someone’s doing their job and they’ve gotten good evaluations?” Tatem questioned, warning that such an abrupt termination could foster apprehension among staff regarding job security.

Wysong addressed the board, expressing his dismay at the situation and his desire to continue serving as superintendent. He acknowledged his shortcomings, such as occasional missed emails, attributing them to the demands of a particularly hectic school year while reaffirming his commitment to prioritizing students’ well-being.

Despite the board’s final vote to terminate his contract without cause, Wysong stated, “I’m leaving with my integrity intact, and it’s been a privilege to serve.” The vote saw Kennedy, Choate, and Vice-Chair Cindy Spray in favor of the action, with Tatem and Felton opposing it. In light of the vacancy, the board unanimously appointed Kevin Chapman as the interim superintendent as the search for a new leadership figure begins.