Manatee School Board Names Preferred Interim Superintendent

MANATEE – The Manatee County School Board voted unanimously Monday night to move forward in attempting to secure former Charlotte County Superintendent David Gayler as Interim Superintendent until a permanent one can be found. Gayler formerly worked as an assistant Superintendent for Manatee Schools under Dan Nolan and was considered his likely successor until leaving to take the Charlotte post.

The board expressed enthusiasm about two candidates, each recommended to them last week by the Florida School Boards Association Director, Dr. Wayne Blanton. Board member Bob Gause said that he was more familiar with former Seminole and St. Lucie Superintendent Bill Vogel, but felt it was important to be unified on the decision. Julie Aranibar said that Gayler's familiarity with the teacher's union as well as the district's inner workings will be assets. Board member Karen Carpenter motioned that the board move forward in securing Gayler to start at the earliest date possible and serve open ended until the new superintendent is selected, hired and starts, which isn't expected to happen until well into the spring. The motion was passed unanimously. 

The board then also unanimously voted to continue with Assistant Superintendent Bob Gagnon as the interim superintendent until such time as Gayler could begin, praising him for the stability he'd provided over the past two weeks. Gayler retired from Charlotte Schools in January of 2011, after nine years at the helm, including seeing the district through Hurricane Charley in 2004. He will play a pivotal role in the district's future, overseeing a forensic audit and likely an efficiency audit, all of which could have controversial outcomes and require somewhat drastic measures.

Gayler will receive former Superintendent Tim McGonegal's compensation of just over $171,000, which Gagnon will continue to receive while at the interim post. The board voted to utilize the Florida School Boards Association in its search for a permanent superintendent and said it plans to hold three public workshops in October to collect citizen input on hiring a new top administrator.