They aim to make their pick before the end of August. One board member expressed concern about lack of transparency.
By Noah Vinsky
Original Air Date: June 11, 2025
Host: In a special meeting called on short notice last month, the Manatee County School Board fired Superintendent Jason Wysong on a controversial and tight 3-2 vote. WSLR News reporter Noah Vinsky followed yesterday’s school board meeting.
Noah Vinsky: The search is underway for a new superintendent for the Manatee County School District after the sudden ousting of Jason Wysong last month. The school board unanimously agreed to enter into a contract with the Florida School Board Association and Bill Vogel as an independent consultant to guide the search. Vogel previously served as superintendent of Seminole County Schools and St. Lucie County Schools. He was also involved in the previous superintendent search in 2023.
Jason Wysong
Wysong’s contract as superintendent was terminated by a 3-2 vote last month in an emergency meeting with little notice to the public. Several board members cited a loss of confidence and communication issues with Wysong. He will serve in an administrative role until his final day with the district on August 18.
The district previously set a rigid timeline for the search, starting with a three-week long candidate search beginning on June 25. They’re hoping to select finalists by late July and pick a superintendent on August 26.
But that timeline may seem too short for some board members, like Heather Felton. She was once again pushing for transparency, after chastising the board for the last-minute 9 a.m. meeting that ended in Wysong’s dismissal.
Heather Felton
Heather Felton: Looking over these, I personally want us to slow down, I want to make sure we are very transparent to the public. I want to make sure that they feel like they are involved. I want our teachers and staff and administration to be able to take their time with this so that we are making sure that they know that we are doing the best we can—that we are taking everything into account—that we’re not rushing.
NV: Charlie Kennedy played a key role in ousting the former superintendent and was one of three board members who voted to abruptly fire him. Despite the approval to hire an outside consultant to help with the search, Kennedy urged the board to take ownership of the process in finding the district’s next leader.
Charlie Kennedy
Charley Kennedy: I just want to remind the board this is our search. This is not the consultants’ search. This is on the five of us, and we’ve got to take ownership for it, and we’ve got to take the praise or the blame. I want us to take control of this process.
NV: The board said it will meet with the Florida School Board Association next Tuesday to discuss further steps.
Noah Vinsky, reporting for WSLR News.
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