Screenshot via Education Channel: Brennan Asplen takes questions during a videoconference town hall event during the interview process.

Sarasota School Board members unanimously voted to begin contract negotiations with Brennan Asplen to become the next superintendent of schools here.

Asplen now serves as deputy superintendent in the St. Johns County School District. He told School Board members on Tuesday that he will need to speak with his current employer before discussing a start date for the new job. But he expressed enthusiasm for joining the Sarasota community.

“I am very humbled and honored to be selected,” he said. ”I really appreciate that and sincerely look forward to working with each of you on the board.”

That alone marks a certain change of pace for the district, where the tenure of the last superintendent, Todd Bowden, was marked by strained board relations.

Asplen said he wanted to built strong relationships with all parts of the Sarasota schools community. “I was thankful and impressed by people I met there,” he said. “The  dedication of employees, it was just impressive. Sarasota County has unlimited potential and it’s because of people, the teachers, the administrators and the community.”

Screenshot via Education Channel: Brennan Asplen takes questions during a videoconference town hall event during the interview process.