‘I have a lot to learn.’ Jason Wysong sworn in as Manatee County’s new superintendent

Jason Wysong was sworn in as Manatee County’s new superintendent during a Monday morning ceremony at the district’s administration building.

Wysong replaces former Superintendent Cynthia Saunders, who retired Friday. Saunders served in the position for five years and worked for 34 years in the Florida education system.

After a months-long search, the Manatee School Board voted in May to hire Wysong, pointing to his experience as an educator and his ability to oversee the district’s finances. One of Wysong’s priorities is to sustain Manatee County’s reputation as a district where families choose to send their children to school and feel like their voices are heard, he said.

“As a parent myself, I never take for granted that each family has a choice to make … I want to hear when they think we don’t make the mark, when we can do better,” Wysong said during a press conference following the ceremony.

Wysong, who holds a doctorate and a specialist degree in educational leadership, is coming off his role as deputy superintendent for Seminole County Public Schools which he has served since 2021.

He began his career as a social studies teacher 23 years ago, eventually serving as the dean of students from 2007-08 and assistant principal at Lake Brantley High School until 2011.

Wysong has also assumed roles for Seminole County including director of education pathways and strategic partnerships and executive director for instructional excellence and system equity.

Identifying core areas in Manatee County that need improvement is the focus of his first 100 days as superintendent, Wysong said.

So far, he said the community has made it known that their biggest concerns are with how the county plans to continue its growth, ensure schools are not over capacity or under capacity and find more ways to focus on student achievement and academic success.

Though some issues are already on his radar, Wysong said he plans to continue to listen to the community to further develop his strategic plan for the school district.

“As the outsider coming in, I have a lot to learn about the history of the community and I want to hear all of that and take time to really reflect,” Wysong told the Bradenton Herald.