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Deadline to hire new Duval County superintendent approaching

At least one school employee and a former top administrator are among the 26 names vying for the superintendent position in Duval County.

What's in store for Duval County Public Schools? At least one school employee and a former top administrator are among the 26 names vying for the superintendent position.

Right now, Dr. Patricia Willis has been serving as the interim superintendent of the 128,000 students in the school district since Dr. Nikolai Vitti left last May.

Vitti left the position on his own choosing for a superintendent position in his hometown of Detroit. Although the school board found that he had been an effective superintendent, School Board Chair Ashley Smith Juarez called for his resignation in 2016. Smith Juarez said his expectations for students were too low and that he wasn't doing enough for his students fast enough.

It's been a long process, but the board hopes to hire a new superintendent by June 1st.

A survey distributed to parents, school employees, students and community leaders last year showed that they want a superintendent who is a problem Solver, trustworthy, and approachable above all else. They also want to see growing graduation rates, more early learning opportunities, and the expansion of arts and technology.

A search firm has been tasked with finding candidates from all over the country to fill the position, it's now narrowed down to 26 of them.

Individual board members had private one-on-one meetings today with the search firm, and will have a public meeting on Monday to settle on semifinalists.

After the semifinalists have been chosen, the board will appoint a focus group to meet with them in public and give the board their thoughts on each one.

The board will offer the finalist a contract on or before June 1st, and that person will likely assume responsibilities on July 1st.

While a portion of this process has and will happen privately or one-on-one, the board members say they are going to keep each step as public as possible so everyone can keep up with who will be the district's next leader.

Here is a look at key dates for the Superintendent Search.

  • Leadership profile report presented to School Board - March 2018
  • Seminar for interviews and final stages of search process. Slate presented to Board - April 23, 9 a.m.
    • April 23, 2018 | 9:00 a.m. in Conference Room 613
  • Board initial interviews - May 11
    • May 11, 2018 | 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Board Office
  • Focus Groups - May 12, 9 a.m.
    • May 12, 2018 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Schultz Center for Teaching and Leadership
  • Board identifies semi-finalists - May 14, 6 p.m.
    • May 14, 2018 | 6:00 p.m. in Conference Room 613
  • Background checks initiated - Requires 7-10 days
  • Board conducts second round of interviews with semi-finalists and District visit - May 16-18, 6 p.m.*
    • May 16-18, 2018 | 6:00 p.m. at the Schultz Center for Teaching and Leadership
  • Board meets to identify preferred candidate - May 22, 9 a.m.
    • May 22, 2018 | 9:00 a.m. in Conference Room 613
  • Board offers final contract to finalist - On or before June 1, 2018
  • Superintendent assumes responsibility - July 1 or as negotiated
  • Retreat with new superintendent (optional) - To be determined

For more information, click here.

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