JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Duval County School Board is inching closer to hiring a new superintendent to replace Dr. Diana Greene, who recently retired early amid turmoil in the district.
School board members met Wednesday morning to discuss the next steps in hiring a new superintendent. They heard from the Florida School Board Association, the consulting firm that’s been tapped to oversee the nationwide search for Greene’s replacement. The initial contract for the firm is costing taxpayers $35,000.
RELATED: Story behind Dr. Greene’s departure: a teacher’s arrest, a state investigation and politics
The group’s tentative timeline shows from now through September, the district will conduct online public surveys and community forums.
In September and October, the position will be advertised with applications submitted to the board as they are received. The period has been proposed to last 30 days. Then through November, the group will work with the Board to narrow the list down to semi-finalists and finalists before a final selection is made. There will be 4 in-person meetings and 2 online meetings for parents and community members who would like to weigh in.
That would set up the new superintendent to transition into place in December and start by Jan. 1, 2024.
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Duval County is the nation’s 20th-largest school district. During the workshop, board members said their priorities include improving student achievement, retaining teachers, students, and addressing transportation costs.
“Reading proficiency, student achievement, reducing the achievement gap, those types of items,” said Dr. Kelly Coker, the school board chair. “Then all the things associated with making sure that we are financially solvent, which includes keeping teachers, keeping students, marketing.”
She noted the school district has lost a net of 9,000 students in the past 5 years, with many going to charter and private schools. She said that causes budgetary issues.
They want a new leader who will address those needs.
“Anyone who’s interested is welcome to apply,” Dr. Coker said. “We went to look at every candidate out there who would be a good leader to our district.”
DCPS is currently being led by interim superintendent Dr. Dana Kriznar. She’s the district’s long-time deputy superintendent. There’s no word yet if she’ll apply for the permanent position of superintendent.