New Superintendent at the Top of Manatee Schools’ Agenda

BRADENTON, Fla. — As the school year wraps up for students and teachers, Manatee County school officials are gearing up for a busy summer ahead. The foremost task at hand for the school board is the search for a new superintendent.

In a surprising turn of events during last week’s meeting, the board voted 3-2 to terminate Dr. Jason Wysong’s contract as superintendent. This decision was made despite praise regarding increased graduation rates and various educational improvements, even by board members who supported his dismissal. Ultimately, the factor that led to Wysong’s removal was ongoing complaints regarding his communication.

Wysong had been hired just a month earlier, in May 2023. In the wake of his termination, the school board is convening on Thursday to initiate discussions about filling the superintendent position. Currently, the District Chief of Staff Kevin Chapman is stepping in as interim superintendent.

Chapman stated that, despite the recent changes, operations continue as planned, noting, “The school board is talking about starting that search here soon. We expect to have a new permanent superintendent in place by the start of school in August. For now, we are focused on finishing the school year strong.”

Additionally, preparations are underway for summer programs, including budget planning and ensuring that schools are ready to reopen in the fall.

The incoming superintendent will face several challenges, including issues related to redistricting and transportation complaints as the district, which currently caters to 42,000 students, continues to expand.