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School board authorizes FSBA-led superintendent search, engages consultant Bill Vogel
Summary
The Manatee County School Board voted unanimously to authorize the Florida School Boards Association to lead its superintendent search and to engage longtime local consultant Bill Vogel to assist with vetting and logistics.
The School Board of Manatee County voted 5-0 on June 10 to authorize the chair and the board attorney to execute an agreement with the Florida School Boards Association (FSBA) and to engage consultant Bill Vogel to assist with the district's superintendent search.
Board chair Ben Choate said the board had considered proposals from three executive-search firms and discussed timeline options, and that the FSBA proposal — combined with Vogel's local experience — offered needed capacity and separation for the process. The board also directed staff to schedule a follow-up workshop with FSBA to finalize advertisement venues, timeline details and the salary range.
Why it matters: The district will replace its interim leadership after a nationwide search. The board sought both broad applicant outreach and local vetting capacity; using FSBA brings a national recruitment footprint while Vogel — a local education consultant who previously worked with the district — will help coordinate outreach and background checks.
Details of the agreement: Board members discussed the timeline at length. FSBA proposed a calendar that begins with board input and advertising, then moves from application intake to background checks, finalist interviews and a public meet-and-greet before a final board selection. The board asked FSBA to be flexible on dates so the search does not interfere with the district's busiest operational weeks; members also discussed an earlier start to advertising to maximize applicant visibility.
Cost and consultant role: Vogel proposed a flat fee of $5,000 to serve as the district's local consultant. Board discussion made clear Vogel would coordinate with whichever search firm the board selected and would not be limited to working only with FSBA. The board chair and attorney were authorized to finalize contracts and any ancillary advertisement or finalist-travel costs.
Next steps: The board asked staff to publish the vacancy and to meet with FSBA the week of June 16–18 to finalize an advertising timeline and a public calendar for community input. The board agreed to aim for a selection timeline that allows robust vetting and community feedback while minimizing disruption to staff preparing for the new school year.
Ending: With a unanimous vote, the board moved the search into an active phase; members said they will meet again with FSBA next week to finalize advertisement venues and the posting window.
