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Board members debate convening community conversation on appointed vs. elected superintendent
Summary
Board members discussed whether to convene a community conversation—potentially with FSBA facilitation—about changing from an appointed to an elected superintendent; staff were asked to research costs, legal issues and survey approaches.
A May 13 board discussion returned to the recurring topic of whether Leon County should consider changing from an appointed to an elected superintendent. One board member said convening community focus groups—facilitated by the Florida School Boards Association (FSBA) or other neutral parties—could spark the grassroots interest required for a successful ballot initiative. Another trustee said feedback from constituents in his district so far opposed the change.
Board members asked staff to gather more information before committing to a community process. The board requested that staff ask FSBA about potential costs and existing services for convening such conversations and to consult with the elections office or counsel about legal and procedural considerations for surveys or informational events. Staff agreed to return findings to the board at a future workshop.
Board members discussed whether district resources could be used to survey parents about interest in informational sessions; district counsel stated that a survey asking whether parents would be interested in receiving information about the topic is distinguishable from advocacy or marketing and is more likely to be permissible. No formal direction to pursue a referendum or change was made; rather, the board sought clarity on cost, legality and community interest before any further steps.
