INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The chambers of the Indian River County School Board were nearly filled to capacity Tuesday evening with people wanting to voice their opinion on what qualities the next Schools Superintendent should have.
Current Schools Superintendent Dr. Fran Adams is retiring at the end of the school year and the Board is seeking to replace her.
Those representing the county’s five charter schools ask that the next leader be supportive – not just tolerant – of charter schools, to be inclusive in discussions and to see charters as an innovative resource, not a competitor.
“Help us help you,” Indian River Charter High’s Gene Wadell said.
Those representing the racial minority reminded the School Board that the new superintendent will need to be mindful of the District’s agreement with the local NAACP and the District’s desegregation order under which it must operate.
Tony Brown, president of the Indian River County chapter of the NAACP, said the superintendent would have to understand the County’s diversity and work to integrate all groups – students, teachers, support staff, and the community.
Freddie Woolfork told the Board they need to hire someone who is community-minded and willing to work with all stakeholders, someone with experience working with similar demographics.
Teachers told the Board that they have appreciated the work Dr. Adams has done in implementing new initiatives and building bridges between the District, classrooms and the community.
Treasure Coast Elementary teacher Cindy Honey, a 12-year veteran, said the next superintendent needs to be committed to providing staff with the development tools and resources they need to be effective in their classrooms. That superintendent should also be willing to spend meaningful time in various classrooms to get a better sense as to what teachers are doing.
Teacher Diane Parentela told the Board that the new superintendent will also need to help heal the fractured relationship between teachers and the District, noting that teacher contracts have gone to impasse many years in a row.
“Teacher working conditions are student learning conditions,” she said.
The School Board did not address the speakers’ comments directly but did acknowledge appreciation for the input.
The District has received nearly 30 resumes to date and Feb. 20 is the cut-off for submissions. After that, the Board will review the resumes with a hired consultant in March and begin culling the list to top prospects who will then be interviewed.
