The Newberry Community School Board (NCSB) appointed a new member during a meeting on Monday night. 

In a phone interview on Tuesday morning, Newberry Community School principal Lacy Roberts confirmed with Mainstreet that Newberry resident Jessica Norfleet will replace current board member Chuck Clemons, whose initial term limit has expired.  

Based on the board’s bylaws regarding terms and term limits, which Roberts provided via email to Mainstreet, initial terms for one or two board members end in May/June 2026 through May/June 2028. Clemons’ term was first to expire, with his term ending this year. 

Roberts noted that Clemons did not want to renew due to his job at the University of Florida. Clemons has served as vice president for government and community relations at UF since July 2025. This was after an eight-year stint in the Florida House of Representatives (2016-2024) and retiring from Santa Fe College as the vice president of advancement in 2024. 

Clemons confirmed his decision not to renew on the NCSB in a text reply to Mainstreet on Tuesday afternoon, citing time. He noted that he was retired when he initially got involved in the efforts to convert Newberry Elementary School (NES) into a public charter school (Newberry Community School), which is set to happen this fall after approval by the Florida State Board of Education in September 2025. 

With Clemons deciding not to renew, Roberts said Norfleet was recruited and brought before the board for a vote. Roberts said the board voted unanimously to accept Norfleet, with Clemons absent from Monday’s meeting.  

Roberts said Clemons’ last board meeting will be in June. 

In the text, Clemons called it an “honor” to help get NCS up and running. He added that the school is in “great hands” and that adding Norfleet “will make the future even brighter.” 

“I am convinced that very soon, this will be the top-performing elementary school in Alachua County,” Clemons said.  

Roberts noted that Norfleet’s first board meeting will be in July. She’ll serve a four-year term that will run through 2030. 

According to Norfleet’s resume, which Roberts provided via email to Mainstreet, she currently serves as deputy chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Florida. Norfleet also worked as a district director/caseworker for former U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho from 2013 to 2021. 

Beyond her experience in the U.S. House of Representatives, Norfleet also co-owns and operates Norfleet Family Agricultural Operations alongside her husband and their children, according to her resume.  

Norfleet is a graduate of Trenton High School (Class of 1999) and holds a degree in business administration from Santa Fe College. She currently serves on the board of The Grit Foundation, a nonprofit organization “supporting law enforcement agencies and the officers who serve them.” 

Roberts said Norfleet’s community involvement, work experience and being a part of one of the founding families of Newberry will be beneficial to the board. 

Norfleet provided Mainstreet with the following statement on Tuesday afternoon.  

“I’m honored to have been appointed to the Newberry Charter School Board and grateful for the trust placed in me by my fellow board members and the community,” she said. “In Newberry, we value our children and recognize that they represent the bright, shining part of our future. I’m looking forward to continuing that work alongside the dedicated educators, staff, and families who make this school what it is. Over the next several months, and into my time of service, I look forward to listening and serving this community and its best — our students.” 

Enrollment update  

Roberts also provided Mainstreet with the latest NCS enrollment numbers. She said as of Tuesday morning, 421 students were enrolled in the school, including 72 kindergarteners, 92 first graders, 107 second graders, 86 third graders and 64 fourth graders.  

Roberts said these are the students who have “completely enrolled and accepted their seat.”  

The next NCSB meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 15.  

Nick Anschultz is a Report for America corps member and writes about education for Mainstreet Daily News. This position is supported by local donations through the Community Catalyst for Local Journalism Fund at the Community Foundation of North Central Florida.