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Board debates CEO versus superintendent model as trustees plan leader search
Summary
Trustees discussed whether Lake Wales should hire a single superintendent, a CEO plus directors for primary/secondary education, or other configurations. Trustees agreed to gather job-element input and form a selection process; no hire was made.
Lake Wales Charter Schools’ trustees spent substantial time discussing the design of the next chief-executive role and how the district should run its central office.
Board members weighed a single superintendent model against a corporate-style CEO with separate academic directors. Rafael (trustee) said he was “leaning towards having discussions over a CEO” with distinct directors for primary and secondary education to provide business expertise at the top and dedicated academic leadership beneath. Supporters of that model argued a CEO with a background in operations or business would better tackle growth, sponsor relations and large-scale facilities or finance challenges, while academic directors would maintain instructional continuity and mentor principals.
Opponents urged caution about perceptions among staff and stressed that education is the district’s core operation. Mike (trustee) emphasized that "education is the core operation," saying the leader search should prioritize academic experience and clear role delineations so principals and teachers understand who is accountable for instruction.
Trustees also noted a history of staff distrust around past leadership transitions and said transparency and principal input will be critical. Several trustees asked board members to solicit feedback from their assigned school principals before the next meeting. The board named Dr. Lynn Johnson as chair of the selection committee (Johnson is not present) and directed the committee to assemble job elements and a search process that reflect trustee input. Sean (legal counsel) and staff will support drafting position descriptions and the selection timeline.
The board did not appoint or hire a chief executive at the meeting. Trustees agreed to return with a clearer job description, an agreed search approach (in-house, external firm or hybrid), and additional principal and staff input at the next session. The board’s next meeting date was set for February 24, giving the selection group time to prepare a proposal for further discussion.
