Schools and Education Sandra Ford Named Manatee District

MANATEE COUNTY — Sandra Ford has been named the Chief Support Services Officer for the School District of Manatee County. In her new position, Ms. Ford will oversee the school district’s departments of Transportation, Vehicle Maintenance, Capital Projects, Food and Nutrition Services and Maintenance and Operations.

Director of the Manatee District’s Food and Nutrition Services Department for the last 11 years, Ms. Ford, has developed a national reputation as a strong and innovative leader. She has been frequently recognized for her work, including being named Florida Director of the Year in 2009, earning the FAME Silver Spirit Award in 2000, and the Thelma Flanagan Gold Award in 1994. In July 2012, Ms. Ford was named the 65th President of the School Nutrition Association during the SNA’s 66th Annual National Conference in Denver. The School Nutrition Association is a national, non-profit professional organization representing 55,000 school nutrition professionals across the country.

Prior to coming to Manatee County, Ms. Ford served 10 years as Director of Food and Nutrition Services for Blue Valley School District in Kansas, eight years at the Kansas Department of Education’s Nutrition Services Department, and four years managing the school food service program at Avila College. She earned her Bachelor of Science and Master’s Degree from Kansas State University.

“Sandra Ford is uniquely suited to be successful in this role of overseeing some of the most vital support functions for our schools,” said Don Hall, Deputy Superintendent of Operations. “This is a positive step forward for Sandra and for our school district.”