School board approves superintendent search ad, sets $1.75–$2.25 salary range and three‑year contract

The Monroe County School Board on Tuesday approved the advertisement and timeline for its superintendent search after a Florida School Boards Association (FSBA) workshop that summarized community forums, a 542‑response public survey and a draft list of desired qualities and qualifications.

The board approved a three‑year contract for the new superintendent, set a base salary range of $1.75 to $2.25 (thousand per month, as presented in fiscal documents) with competitive benefits commensurate with experience, and agreed the district will offer a relocation stipend and consider other negotiated incentives during contract talks.

FSBA consultant Andrea Messina led the workshop with Dr. Rice and told board members the online survey had, as of the morning of the meeting, 519 English responses, 19 Spanish and 4 Haitian Creole responses and that the survey results aligned with community forums. "The number one strength was the teachers and staff," Messina said, and she summarized recurring concerns as teacher recruitment and retention, housing affordability for staff, student support services and transportation limits due to staffing.

Why it matters: the board’s guidance will define the application pool and the criteria used to screen semifinalists and finalists. The board edited the list of "qualities" the district will publish on its website to guide candidates and agreed on minimum and preferred qualifications that will appear in the formal job posting.

What the board decided and why - Qualifications: the board set a minimum of eight years of "increasingly responsible educational administrative leadership experience, or the equivalent," and settled on several preferred qualifications including an earned doctorate (preferred), at least three years of district/cabinet‑level leadership (preferred), classroom teaching experience, and school principal or district‑level experience. The board also agreed the job posting will state a candidate…