Manatee School board chooses legal representation

The Manatee County School Board selected a law firm Monday night to outsource legal issues to.

In a choice that took two votes, the board selected Dye, Deitrich, Petruff & St. Paul of Bradenton to replace current school board attorney John Bowen who retires June 30.

The board held public interviews for four legal candidates Monday.

The other candidates were Blalock Walters; Lewis, Longman & Walker; and attorney Kendra Presswood.

Attorney Jim Dye of the winning firm emphasized his team’s experience in charter school law and work as general counsel for the city of Anna Maria.

The board will discuss a contract with the firm at a special 3 p.m. meeting June 24.