- Alachua County Public Schools held community workshops to gather input for their nationwide superintendent search, which is in phase two of three.
- Attendees highlighted the district's strengths such as diverse academic courses and arts emphasis, while noting challenges like support for autistic children and curriculum issues.
- Community members requested a superintendent with teaching experience, long-term Florida commitment, and skills in equity, teacher retention, and handling school closures.
Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) hosted a community workshop on Monday to gather input for its nationwide superintendent search.
Around 20 people gathered in Howard Bishop Middle School’s cafeteria, where search firm McPherson & Jacobson consultant Debra White facilitated a question-and-answer session. The school district hired the firm in August and is in phase two of three in the search process that could conclude by the end of the year.
Community members were encouraged to submit feedback on the superintendent search through the district’s online survey.
White posed multiple questions to the crowd, including what a superintendent candidate should embody and value, what the district’s strengths and challenges are, and what people would tell a school board member about those challenges.
In response to district strengths, residents commended ACPS for offering a variety of academic courses, such as International Baccalaureate and magnet classes, and for facilitating a backpack food distribution program. A performing arts teacher said the district embraced arts and culture well and encouraged it to do so even more.
Some of the challenges mentioned were lack of support for autistic children, redundant curriculum and lack of discipline.
When discussing qualifications and characteristics of a future superintendent, attendees asked for someone who’d been a teacher themselves and who wants to stay in Florida long-term.
They called for a superintendent experienced in school closures, which have occurred in the district, and committed to protecting students from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
One resident said they want a superintendent who advances equity not only in student diversity but also in district operations, including equitable transportation across the county and efforts to address literacy challenges.
Attendees also wanted the district to focus on teacher retention and maintaining a good relationship with the union, while also having a “political backbone” to push back on oversight from the state or school board.
White said her firm will train the school board and superintendent to work together effectively and build a strong working relationship.
Attendees said they would urge McPherson & Jacobson and the school board to consider candidates from outside Gainesville. The board could still select a candidate who is not in the firm’s applicant pool.
The district held another workshop Tuesday night in the Kanapaha Middle School cafeteria to review the same questions.
