All entries filed under “Education”
Manatee School Board pays out contract for Superintendent Mills.
Mills To Leave Manatee Schools in July
Manatee County Superintendent of Schools Rick Mills announced he will retire at the end of July. The decision comes amid a rocky relationship with the School Board through most of his time in charge of the district, and after an election brought the ouster of a School Board chairman who was there when he was hired. During an interview for an article appearing in the May issue of SRQ, Mills acknowledged his relationship with the board had been strained. He announced earlier this year he did not want his contract extended, though at the time he remained optimistic about whether he would stay with the district. His contract was set to expire in 2017. A press release from the school district notes that since his hire in March 2013, Mills oversaw a "total financial transformation" of the district, coming in to a district with an $8.9 million budget deficit and now operating with a $14.4 million surplus. But his practices were also controversial. Heavy turnover in district staffing was a criticism leveled during the political season, when School Board Member Julie Aranibar was defeated by Mary Cantrell. In recent weeks, Mills has sparred over citizen complaints made to the School Board. He also was pushing for the district to consider alternative sources of revenue to fund the district, which could require putting a tax to voters to weigh in on in an upcoming election. During the interview with SRQ, Mills said regardless of the future, he was pleased with district operations under his watch. "I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished," he said, "but I want to keep us on that path.” Full Manatee Press release: 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.
Former Superintendent Gene Witt Dies
School officials in both the Sarasota County School District and Manatee County School District today confirmed the death of former Superintendent of Schools Gene Witt. “I am very sorry to hear about the passing of Gene Witt," said Manatee superintendent Rick Mills. "Although I did not get a chance to know Mr. Witt well, I am very aware of the lasting legacy he leaves behind... Mr. Witt touched and shaped thousands of lives and careers. From what I have learned about him, he will long be remembered for his personal character and integrity. We are proud that Gene Witt Elementary School will continue to keep his memory alive for generations to come.” “In Sarasota County, as in Manatee County, we were all so blessed to experience Gene Witt’s genuine devotion, love and caring for our students, staff and community," said Sarasota Superintendent Lori White. "My colleagues and I had the good fortune to work with and learn from him during his three stints as interim superintendent. We’re very grateful that he provided needed continuity of leadership during those years. He will be sorely missed.” Witt served as the Manatee district's superintendent from 1983 to 1994. He also served as interim superintendent of Sarasota County Schools in 1995-96, 1999 and 2003-04.
UPDATED: USF Names Sandra Stone as USF Sarasota-Manatee ChancellorDr. Sandra Stone was named today as the new regional chancellor for the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee. Stone currently serves as vice president of academic affairs at Dalton State College... More »
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