Manatee County School Board slate grows to 22 names; timetable uncertain for appointment
BRADENTON -- With no set timetable for an appointment, the list of names in contention for the late Mary Cantrell's open Manatee County School Board seat keeps growing.
As of 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, 22 people had filled out the online paperwork with Gov. Rick Scott's office to fill the seat held by Cantrell, who died earlier this month at age 71 from complications of bone marrow cancer.
In addition to the online application, local community members -- including developer and former state Sen. Pat Neal -- are interviewing candidates and making recommendations to the governor's office.
The search is being led by Florida Department of Education Commissioner Pam Stewart, said Stephen Lawson of the governor's office. Officials still have not set a firm date for choosing a new board member.
"There's still no time frame," Lawson said.
The school board meets Tuesday for its first regular workshop and meeting since Cantrell died.
Seven new names joined the list of 15 candidates who filled out applications last week. The seven newest candidates:
James T. Golden, a reverend and former Bradenton City Council member who lost in the 2014 election primary for the seat.
Fermin Miranda, a senior vice president at Cadence Bank.
Daniel Crumpler, a teacher at Braden River High School.
Theresa Rashdan, a nurse practitioner and assistant
professor at the University of South Florida, Sarasota-Manatee.
Diana Davis, a former membership development representative for the Manatee County Chamber of Commerce, now retired.
Arthelbert "Louis" Parker, a founding partner of Visible Men Academy.
Elizabeth Young, a Bradenton resident
Initially, Golden said he wouldn't waste his or the governor's time by applying because he is a Democrat and Scott is a Republican. Last week, a number of people reached out to him, Golden said.
"I was asked by some people I respect highly," he said. "They asked me in spite of the politics."
The other applicants: John Colon, Julie Aranibar, Jane Pfeilsticker, Sue Downs, Susan Harrigan, Lynne Rubino, Jason Schiessl, Melissa Howard, Craig Bachler, Richard Herring, Gina Messenger, Larry Simmons, Misty Martin Servia, Robert Singer and Thomas Buchanan.
Meghin Delaney, education reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7081. Follow her on Twitter @MeghinDelaney.
This story was originally published July 22, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Manatee County School Board slate grows to 22 names; timetable uncertain for appointment."