(BRADENTON, FL - October 28, 2008) By unanimous acclamation, the Manatee County School Board selected Tim McGonegal to become the next Superintendent of Manatee County Schools at its board meeting on Monday, October 27, 2008.

Mr. McGonegal is well known locally and respected as an expert in the area of educational finance. Since February of 2005, he has served as Assistant Superintendent for Business Services for the Manatee District. Prior to that time, Mr. McGonegal was the Manatee District´s Executive Director for Finance from June 2004 to January 2005 and the district´s Assistant Director of Finance from January 2002 to June 2004. Before coming to the Manatee District, Mr. McGonegal worked for the School Board of Highlands County from 1986 to 2002 in several capacities including Director of Business Operations and Director of Finance and Planning.

Mr. McGonegal will succeed Superintendent Dr. Roger Dearing in January. Dr. Dearing is retiring from the Manatee County School District to become the Executive Director of the Florida High School Athletic Association.

Three other candidates interviewed with the Manatee County School Board for the superintendent´s post. The other candidates were Nicholas Gledich, Chief Operations Officer for Orange County Schools; Brenda Magee, Assistant Superintendent of Palm Beach County Schools and Ken Marsh, Director of Long Range Planning for Sarasota County Schools.

Under Mr. McGonegal´s direction, the Manatee District´s Finance Department has received the Distinguished Budget Award from the Government Finance Officers Association three years in a row (2006, 2007, 2008). In addition, the Manatee District has received the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Association of School Business Officials International.

Mr. McGonegal has been an active member in the local community having served as Vice Chairman of the Manatee Glens Hospital Board and as a Board Member for the United Way of Manatee County.

Tim is married to Sue McGonegal and he has two children in Manatee District schools; Tim Jr., and Maggie.