A new Sarasota County School Board has been in place less than a week. But the board has already seen its lead counsel depart, and the holiday weekend was spent negotiating resignation terms for the superintendent.

Discussions of a severance package unfolded after the School Board voted 4-1 last Tuesday to discuss terminating Dr. Brennan Asplen. That vote took place shortly after two newly elected members, Robyn Marinelli and Tim Enos, were sworn in. Sitting School Board Member Karen Rose made the motion to hold a special meeting to discuss the firing.

School Board Member Tom Edwards, the lone vote against the move, said the rapid action immediately calls into question the political motivations of the new majority. “None of this is in the best interest of students, families, staff or the district,” he said.

Edwards worried the rapid action showed new members were collaborating ahead of the meeting outside of public view, a violation of the Sunshine Law. He also notes the board never voted to authorize negotiations for Asplen’s resignation, but he was informed by legal counsel on Saturday that those discussions were underway.

He’s frustrated on multiple levels. To fire Asplen without cause would cost the district $87,000 based on contract terms alone, and the district is discussing a parting of ways that could cost the district twice that amount, Edwards said. But beyond the fiscal impact, he’s upset the district will have to install an interim superintendent just as a largely new board sets policies in place and as the district moves forward with a board-enacted strategic plan.

In addition to ongoing discussions with Asplen, School Board Attorney Dan DeLeo submitted his resignation as lead counsel ahead of the new board members being sworn in. The district continues to have the same law firm, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, on contract.

School Board Chair Bridget Ziegler said she was surprised how quickly the discussion of Asplen’s future arose, and that she considers the superintendent a moral leader. But she said there’s no doubt voters want a change in the leadership for the district. She was previously part of a political minority on the board, and won re-election in the same August election when Sarasota County voters elected two new members. All board members who won in August were registered Republicans who ran on conservative platforms.

“The community overwhelmingly spoke about the need for a different direction for the board, so it does warrant a conversation,” she said. “Their focus was on the board, which sets policy, but there was a resounding vote for change, and one can’t deny the role any administrator who implements the will of the board plays in that.”

Any change in a board make-up for any organization can result in a change in leadership, she said. The superintendent of schools is the only employee the school board has a direct role in hiring or firing. But Ziegler said a shift doesn’t have to create any disruption at the classroom level for the district.

“Unequivocally, my focus is the ensure every decision we are doing is to maintain stability and what is in the best interest of the district and its working and learning environment,” she said. “I am open to options to ensure a stable process.”

The School Board meets Tuesday to discuss Asplen’s future with the district.    

Image courtesy Sarasota Schools: Superintendent Brennan Asplen sits beside School Board Chair Bridget Ziegler as the board discusses scheduling discussions of his termination.

The Monday following Black Friday, known as Cyber Monday, has become one of the top shopping days of the year. But like so much else in 2022, not all of the deals will be just on Cyber Monday. Retail experts predicted many of the online shopping activities and special holiday sales started as early as Halloween and may continue throughout the holiday season. But online shopping – even on Cyber Monday – has risks.

Be wary of misleading advertisements, lookalike websites, and untrustworthy sellers. The following tips will help you shop online this holiday season, so you can achieve maximum savings while keeping your personal information and hard-earned money secure. Beware of false advertising and phony websites. If a company is selling the hottest item of the year at a price that seems too good to be true, it probably is. Watch out for false advertising and keep a close eye on the web address in your browser. Make sure websites use the correct spelling of a business name and have legitimate contact information and customer service numbers. Shop with trustworthy sellers on secure sites only. Be wary of businesses you aren’t familiar with. Check their BBB Business Profile on BBB.org, look at the rating, and read customer reviews. In addition, be sure any web page you purchase from is secure. Secure web addresses begin with "HTTPS" and not just "HTTP". Never put personal or credit card information in forms on non-secure web pages. Keep your antivirus software up to date. Make sure you have antivirus software installed on your computer or mobile device, and that it is up to date. This will help you to avoid non-secure websites and pop-up phishing scams and help keep your personal information safe. Price check before you buy. Take advantage of rewards and loyalty programs. Check your credit card rewards program for special point offers that could add up on Cyber Monday and throughout the holidays. Make purchases using loyalty programs; many major retailers offer them.Use your credit card. It’s always best to make online purchases with your credit card. If any shady charges turn up later, you will be able to contest them through your credit card company. Debit cards don’t offer this same protection. Never make purchases with online sellers by giving them prepaid debit cards or wiring them money. Understand return policies. Online store policies may change for Cyber Monday offers. Read the fine print before you buy. Understand the return or exchange policy for the specific item you would like to purchase. Be aware that stores may not allow returns for “final sale” or “closeout” items. Make sure to get gift receipts, so the recipient can return or exchange the item if necessary. Watch out for phishing scams. Look out for unsolicited emails, texts, calls, or letters. These messages may claim you have a free gift waiting for you or that there is a problem with a delivery – all you need to do is click on a link or give up your personal information. Avoid phishing scams by ignoring suspicious correspondence and calls from unfamiliar phone numbers. 

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The Surf Signature RV Resort by Zeman announced today that it will host a grand opening celebration on Wednesday, November 30th at 11 a.m. The event is free and open to the public. Located just minutes from the Gulf of Mexico in Palmetto, FL, this luxurious 55+ resort features 449 oversized RV sites with full hook-ups, as well as a variety of world-class amenities and social events.

In addition to a ribbon-cutting ceremony to be held with the Manatee County Chamber of Commerce, the celebration will feature appetizers, entertainment, and giveaways. Guests will be able to explore the resort's wide array of on-site amenities, the centerpiece of which is an opulent 15,000 square foot clubhouse equipped with a yoga & dance studio; fitness facility with locker rooms; game rooms with billiards and card tables; a fully functional business center with work stations; a 250-person ballroom with stage and catering kitchen; a lounge; and more. Other resort amenities include an outdoor kitchen; a heated infinity pool and 18-person spa; a poolside bar; bocce & cornhole courts; lighted pickleball courts; a tiki bar; firepits; dog park; and more. In announcing the grand opening event, Leslie Taylor-Rharbi, Zeman's Director of Zeman Signature Resorts, stated, “We are thrilled to welcome local officials and RV enthusiasts to Zeman’s newest Signature resort. Like its sister Palmetto, FL resort, The Tides, The Surf will offer an endless array of premier social events and amenities for those 55 years and older. The Surf will offer all lengths of stay and will cater to those seeking short-term visits year around. Unlike other Florida resorts that have minimum stay requirements, The Surf will allow you to personalize your reservation for any period of time.” 

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Registration is now open for Sarasota County's Water Quality Virtual Update on Monday, Dec. 5. The virtual update will highlight the county's ongoing commitment to water quality education, outreach initiatives and improvement projects. Sarasota County staff, along with Sarasota County Commissioner Ron Cutsinger, will deliver updates and comments. County departments taking part in the update include Public Utilities, Public Works, Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources, Planning and Development Services and UF/IFAS Extension and Sustainability. In addition, presentations from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation on the Playbook for Healthy Waterways, and Sarasota Bay Estuary Program on State of the Bay and Impacts of Hurricane Ian, will also be included. The event will provide an opportunity for the community to hear from county officials. Those topics include Playbook for Healthy Waterways, County Water Quality Projects and Policy Update, and What You Can Do Update. An interactive session will also address actions that individuals and neighborhoods can do to support water quality. The update is an extension of the Water Quality Summit held by Sarasota County in 2019. The update will be held 3-5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5. To register for the event visit the following link.For additional information call 311 or visit scgov.net.

FINDING HER PLACE | Marisa Mangani puts her own stamp on commercial kitchen design.

Check out Marisa’s commercial kitchen masterpieces with Mise En Place Design through this link, on our social media, or in the November edition of SRQ Magazine! 

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