When Robert Gagnon became the principal for Manatee High School just over four years ago it was a D-school. Gagnon quickly worked with the teachers, staff and students to turn it around to an A school, and Manatee High was able to maintain that grade for four years.

In that time, Gagnon also oversaw the construction of the new Davis Building Performing Arts Center at the high school, and he worked with two others at Manatee High to write a book about online learning. The book, "Constructing an Online Professional Learning Network for School Unity and Student Achievement," was published this year.

So it was little surprise that officials tapped him to be the new assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction. Gagnon is taking over from Lynette Edwards who is retiring in December, after 13 years with the district.

Gagnon has a track record of taking on huge challenges and meeting or exceeding expectations. He is taking on the district position as state budget cuts pose challenges. The county is working on making budget cuts to meet the state cuts.

Gagnon said the economic downturn will make the job more daunting in the coming years.

Finding the right formula to improve curriculum and instruction as the budget is being cut, will take time, Gagnon said.

"We are in an unprecedented economic downturn," Gagnon said. "It will be extremely challenging. We can get this done for our kids and get things going in the right direction."

Gagnon said his plan is to build a strong team to help make some common sense decisions for the students.

"It’s critical that we empower teachers," he said. "The state is throwing out mandates left and right, and most of those are unfunded. I will need to develop a real focus and give teachers clear direction. They are the only ones who will make changes."

He said his mission will be "supporting teachers, listening to them and finding out what their needs are."

He started his career as a teacher in the Lake County schools and four years later took on the position as the principal for the Lake County Boys Ranch Learning Center, a school for students with mental and behavioral challenges.

He came to Manatee County in 2000 as assistant director of the Police Athletic League Charter schools of Manatee County. In 2002, he went on to become assistant principal of the newly opened Lakewood Ranch High School.