Alachua School Board weighs superintendent search options; interim superintendent offers one-year extension

Board Chair Rockwell and members of the Alachua County School Board spent the bulk of their Jan. 14 meeting discussing how to conduct a search for a new superintendent, weighing three procurement options, projected timelines and costs, and whether Interim Superintendent Dr. Patton should remain in the role while a full search is completed.

The board reviewed three options presented by Assistant Superintendent Deborah Terry: hiring a single search firm under a direct contract; soliciting a request for information (RFI) from multiple firms and having finalists present to the board; or issuing a request for proposals (RFP) with a committee review and public scoring. Terry said all three approaches would likely place the active search period between March and June, with estimated search-firm costs in the $48,000–$52,000 range and additional travel and accommodation costs for finalists billed to the district.

Why it matters: Board members said the district’s short timetable and current operational issues make it important to choose a deliberate process that allows community input and time for a meaningful transition. Several members warned that May — when finalist interviews were proposed — is a busy month for schools because of testing, graduations and other year-end activities.

Most board members voiced support for a transparent process with significant community engagement. Member Certain said the district faces operational challenges that make a rushed search risky and argued the board should “get out of that rudderless ship spot.” Member Vu said he preferred the RFI option but agreed the board should not rush. Member Surdon and others stressed the need to stabilize operations to make the district attractive to top candidates.

Dr. Patton responded that she and staff have begun “road maps” of priorities and said she would support a careful search. She then offered to extend her current contract by one year — to June 30, 2026 — and publicly pledged not to apply for the permanent role. Rockwell said staff would prepare an addendum to implement that extension (keeping existing contract terms) and bring it back to the board for formal consideration.

Board members also discussed practical details the board must answer during a search: the minimum RFP open period (Terry said an RFP must remain open at least 11 days but the board could choose to leave it open longer), the firms’ availability during a heavy search season, and the district’s obligations for finalist travel expenses. Several members raised concerns about whether the district could complete interviews and onboarding by July 1 under the proposed timeline and urged a workshop to set priorities, guardrails and checkpoints if an extension is accepted.

The board did not take a formal vote on a search method or on Dr. Patton’s extension during the meeting. Chair Rockwell said staff would return with an addendum and a timeline, and the board agreed to schedule further discussion and a workshop to finalize the approach.

Votes at a glance

- Agenda approval as amended — moved by Dr. McNealy; seconded by Ms. Certain; outcome: approved unanimously. - Approval of regular meeting minutes Dec. 2, 2024 — moved by Ms. Curden; seconded by Dr. McNealy; outcome: approved unanimously. - Approval of regular meeting minutes Dec. 10, 2024 — moved by Mr. Vu; seconded by Dr. McNealy; outcome: approved unanimously. - Approval of special meeting minutes Dec. 18, 2024 — moved by Ms. Certain; seconded by Mr. Vu; outcome: approved unanimously. - Consent agenda approved (item 5 pulled) — motion from Ms. Certain; seconded by Dr. McNealy; outcome: approved unanimously.

Ending

Rockwell said staff would prepare the contract addendum to extend Dr. Patton’s term through June 30, 2026, and return the item to the board for formal action at a future meeting; board members asked for a separate workshop to set search priorities and checkpoints before issuing any RFP/RFI.