Asplen's Separation, Acting Superintendent Approved: Sarasota Schools

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — With the departure of Superintendent Dr. Brennan Asplen, Sarasota County Schools’ assistant superintendent and chief academic officer Chris Renouf was named the district’s acting superintendent.

He was appointed to the role in a unanimous vote by the Sarasota County School board at its Tuesday meeting, according to a district news release. Renouf will serve in this role until an interim superintendent is named.

The board also voted 4 to 1 to approve Asplen’s separation agreement with the district. Tom Edwards was the sole vote against parting ways with the former superintendent.

“I’m incredibly honored and humbled to serve as the acting superintendent of the Sarasota County school system. In an effort to provide continuity and stability during this time of transition, I will continue to serve and support all of our extraordinary students, teachers, staff, leaders, families, and community partners that make Sarasota County Schools such an exceptional organization,” Renouf said.

Before Mr. Renouf assumed his current position as assistant superintendent/chief academic officer in July 2021, he served as the district’s executive director of elementary schools. From 1998 to 2017, he served as principal of both Toledo Blade Elementary School and Ashton Elementary School.

Asplen said he was shocked by the newly conservative majority board’s call to fire him after being sworn in Nov. 22, according to WUSF.

"Some of the social media posts that I have seen recently and were sent to me, I believe that everyone in our district should hear regarding the political tactics impacting education — not only in our county, but statewide," Asplen said. "This is about politics, people."