After an extended period of reflection and deliberation, it is the intention of Superintendent Rick Mills to retire from the School District of Manatee County effective July 31, 2015. For the purposes of transparency and transition, Mr. Mills is requesting his proposed retirement be discussed during the School Board workshop scheduled for May 12, 2015.

Mr. Mills, whose service to the country through the military and public education spans approximately 40 years, was sworn in as Superintendent of Manatee County’s public schools on March 20, 2013. During his 25-months on the job, he has overseen a total financial transformation of the school district, turning an $8.9 million deficit into a $14.4 million surplus in the span of one school year (2014-2015). Under his leadership, the Manatee District met its state-required fund balance for the first time since 2009; successfully negotiated contracts with the Manatee Education Association and AFSCME during both years of his tenure and reinvested in school district employees by providing pay increases two consecutive years. Academically, the school district jumped from being ranked 47th among the state’s 67 school district’s to 37th; saw 24 district schools raise their school grade, including seven which improved by two letter grades; led like-sized school districts in Florida in showing improvement among struggling schools and was specifically recognized by Florida Education Commissioner Pam Stewart for FCAT gains.

Mr. Mills had a distinguished 25-year career in the United States Army where he retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in July, 2001. Since leaving the military, Mr. Mills has spent the last 14 years serving in leadership positions in public education, including 10 years in Chicago Public Schools as a Chief Area Officer and as an Area Instructional Officer. Prior to coming to Manatee County, Mr. Mills served as the Chief Executive Officer of Minneapolis Public Schools from July 2011, to March 2013.