St. Johns County Superintendent Tim Forson announces retirement; board to begin search for new leader

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – St. Johns County School District Superintendent Tim Forson announced on Thursday he will retire at the end of the school year.

Forson, who has served as the superintendent since 2016, said in a special school workshop that his last day will be June 30, 2025.

“My entire professional career has been here, and there’s not a better place I could have worked, not a better place I could have experienced and grown the way that I have,” Forson said. “Yes, huge mistakes along the way, but huge successes, and not just mine, but I’ve been mentored, supported, challenged by so many individuals.”

Forson’s announcement came just days after St. Johns County residents voted to pass two referendums that will help school funding in the fast-growing community.

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“There’s nothing more important than the children of our communities and the decisions that were made really in the voting booth, tell us that, tell us that that’s most important thing in St. Johns County,” Forson said during the special workshop.

In his 36-year career, Forson served as the deputy superintendent for operations. He was also the principal at Bartram Trail High School (BTHS).

Moreover, Forson has been an active member of the St. Johns County community by serving as the president of the PACT Prevention Coalition of St. Johns County, president of St. Augustine Little League, and as a long standing member of Kiwanis of Historic St. Augustine.

According to his bio, under Forson’s leadership, the district added nine schools and expanded 10 others over the last 10 years. There are also two new K-8 schools being built.

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Forson said he made the decision to retire to spend more time with his family, which includes his wife, four children and two grandchildren.

During Thursday’s workshop, the school board began the process of finding the new school district’s leader.

“It’s important to focus on succession planning to ensure that students attend to our schools have the best leaders, the best teachers, the best support personnel beside them every day,” Forson said.

The school board has eight months to find Forson’s replacement.