Schools Recovery Plan OK'd, as Mills Warns of 'State Takeover' Risk

The Manatee County School Board unanimously approved Superintent Rick Mills' re-organization plan Monday for restoring financial stability to the district.

His recovery plan involves eliminating or revising some top leadership roles and creating seven new jobs, according to Bradenton.com:

Don Hall, deputy superintendent of operations, said some of the current leaders "were not skilled for the jobs they were in." (See Manatee School Board OKs Mills' Plan to Fix Schools.)

The district also is creating new positions:

• Director of communications and family engagement,
• Director of budget,
• Director of district support,
• Investigator for the Office of Professional Standards,
• Chief information and technology officer,
• Executive director of human resources
• Director of school improvement.

Mills is warning that the district is "subject to state takeover," if it fails to move aggressively to address problems that led to a $38 million budget gap, according to Bradenton.com.

Mills described a broken school district in need of new vision and leadership, Bradenton.com reports in an article headlined, "Mills: Manatee Schools Subject to State Takeover."

In presenting the findings of a transition team assigned to chart a financial recovery plan, Mills said it will be necessary to "change thinking, attitudes and culture" across the district.

For details, see:

• Transition Team Report

• Superintendent Mills' 100-Day Entry Plan

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