FHSAA VOTES TO APPOINT DR. ROGER DEARING
NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

(Bradenton, FL - June 12, 2008) The Florida High School Athletic Association's Board of Directors voted Thursday to appoint Manatee District Superintendent Dr. Roger Dearing as the new Executive Director of the FHSAA. Dr. Dearing is expected to remain as the superintendent of Manatee County Schools through the end of 2008.

"While I am honored to be chosen to fill a position that impacts young lives throughout the state of Florida, I am personally committed to making sure there will be a smooth and successful transition of leadership in Manatee County," Dr. Dearing said. "I'm truly blessed to work with wonderful people in Manatee County and I feel a personal and professional obligation to them to ensure the district is left in great hands."

Dr. Dearing has served as the superintendent of the Manatee District since July 1, 2003. The Manatee County School Board has scheduled a workshop for Thursday, July 10, 2008, to discuss the procedures relating to the search for a new superintendent. The workshop will be held at the School Support Center and will begin at 5:45 p.m.

He will replace Dr. John Stewart as the Executive Director of the FHSAA. Dr. Stewart, who has served as Executive Director since January 15, 2005, will be stepping down later this year.

Dr. Dearing has served on the FHSAA's Board of Directors for the last two years and he spent seven years on the FHSAA's Appeals Board. He started his education career in Orange County as a teacher and coach in 1971. During his career he has been a head coach or assistant coach for football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, track and he has served as an athletic director. He served as an assistant principal, principal and assistant superintendent in Osceola County before becoming the superintendent in Indian River County in 1994.

During his five-year tenure in Manatee County, Dr. Dearing has overseen the largest volume of construction achieved by the district ever in a five-year period. Since 2003, the district has completed 12 brand new schools and is in the process of building a 13th, Elementary E, which will be the district's first school to be submitted to the United States Green Building Council for "Green Certification." In addition, the district has totally rebuilt six existing schools and added additions and renovations to more than a dozen other schools.

Other innovative accomplishments during Dr. Dearing's tenure include the establishment of EdVantage, a detailed strategic plan for the future of the school district which was constructed with the collaboration of more than 190 community and educational leaders. Also, in March 2007, the Manatee District became the first school district in the nation to incorporate plug-in hybrid buses into its fleet, and in 2005, Manatee became the first district in the state to switch its bus fleet and other district vehicles to cleaner burning BioDiesel fuel.

Dr. Dearing's wife, Candace, a principal at Phillippi Shores Elementary in Sarasota, is scheduled to retire from the Sarasota County School System in November.

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