Elected superintendent will change school board dynamic

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

The School Board of Lee County was advised this week of what little control it will have over an elected superintendent

Florida School Boards Association Chief Executive Officer Andrea Messina said in her 23 years now being associated with school districts statewide, this is the first time a district has switched from an appointed to an elected superintendent, which led to an examining some changes to provide the support the district needs for the transition

Lee County voters approved the change via a referendum in November of 2022

The measure, which was placed on the ballot by the State Legislature and was opposed by the board, passed with 62 15 percent of the voters in favor, making the superintendent’s post another elected constitutional office as of the 2024 General Election

The existing system of having the superintendent appointed by the School Board had been approved by Lee voters in 1974

The elected superintendent will serve a four-year

Among the of 13,568 school districts in the country, two states have elected superintendents with 37 school districts in Alabama and 38 in Florida electing their top administrator That equates to 99 923 percent of superintendents being appointed and 077 percent elected term

Among the of 13,568 school districts in the country, two states have elected superintendents with 37 school districts in Alabama and 38 in Florida electing their top administrator That equates to 99 923 percent of superintendents being appointed and 077 percent elected, Messina said

As a result of the voter mandate, the qualifications will change for an elected superintendent. The only qualifications will be that they must live in the district and be a registered voter in the county

“We have seen in some counties it can be anything from a doctorate degree to someone who has a GED Anyone can get elected to that position,” Messina said

As with other constitutional officers, only the governor can remove or terminate them from office for malfeasance

“They cannot be dismissed by the board for failure to carry out duties or violation of board policy,” Messina said “We have seen some elected superintendents resign for any number of reasons When that happens the governor has the right to fill that position until the next election ”

Under previous governors they have also seen boards appoint someone as an interim until the governor assigns a superintendent if one is not appointed in a timely manner

“That is where we see the most contention in elected superintendent districts,” she said “When a superintendent is not carrying out board policy, or violating board policy, the board has no way to force a superintendent to comply with policy other than court We have seen lawsuits Board members against superintendents, superintendents against boards. We have seen some court cases, or filings It’s never a good outcome The board cannot force a superintendent to do certain things They can suggest it Remind of a policy (If the superintendent) violates policy, they have no disciplinary teeth ”

An elected superintendent is accountable to the voters

“The superintendent must raise money, campaign and be elected,” she said, adding that the senior staff has a vested interest one way or another in the outcome of an election. “It will affect the dynamic of senior leadership, it always does ”

The salary of an elected superintendent is specifically tied to Florida legislative compensation formula using very specific methodology

The base salary of an elected superintendent is based on the county population with three additional options

There is a special qualification salary of $2,000 after a successful completion and retention of a certification program Messina said every year the superintendent can get an additional $2,000

Another option is a performance salary incentive between $3,000 to $7,500 after a successful completion of a two-phased chief executive officer leadership development certification

“As long as they continue to develop professionally, (it’s a) recurring salary,” she said

The last option is a district school board approved salary, a discretionary salary, which requires a majority vote

The board agreed that they need to come together and come up with some sort of salary before an election takes place

Messina also highlighted some of the items the school board will no longer need with an elected superintendent, such as a job description and performance goals. She said a n e l e c t e d s u p e r i n t e n d e n t also does not have any formal leave or formal vacation

“ S o m e t i m e s w e h a v e s e e n e l e c t e d s u p e r i n t e n dents who take leave when wanted whether it’s conv e n i e n t o r n o t , ” M e s s i n a said

With that said, she said they have some outstanding e l e c t e d s u p e r i n t e n d e n t s across the state

“Most of them are saltof-the earth people Hardworking people,” Messina said “Ninety-nine percent of the people that get elected are professional and do an outstanding job in their district I want to be very clear about that ”

Messina also shared that a n e l e c t e d s u p e r i n t e n d e n t may also have their own legal council, which might want to be addressed in a separate policy

“Put down some guidelines How are we going to address it? Put a measure in place before shortcomings appear that you will know what to do,” she said

S h e e n c o u r a g e d t h e board to think about an orientation or transition for a newly elected superintendent, as they might get someone who does not have any experience in education In a d d i t i o n , t h e b o a r d w a s encouraged to schedule a protocol workshop to develo p e x p e c t a t i o n s o f o n e a n o t h e r , c o m m u n i c a t i o n with one another