Speakers urge board to keep national superintendent search; Dunnellon Chamber seeks July 4 fireworks at Dunnellon High
Summary
At the Jan. 13 Marion County School Board meeting, a Republican committee representative urged the board to conduct a national superintendent search rather than immediately appoint the interim superintendent, while the Dunnellon Chamber requested permission to host July 4 fireworks at Dunnellon High, citing insurance and safety plans.
Len Rasciopi, vice chair of the Marion County Executive Republican Committee, told the Marion County School Board on Jan. 13 that the board should honor a prior commitment to conduct a national superintendent search rather than appoint the interim superintendent permanently. "Qualified now is qualified later," Rasciopi said, and he argued that the estimated $50,000 cost of a search is a small investment compared with the district's roughly $1.2 billion annual budget. He submitted a letter for the public record and said he did not use his full allotted time.
Why it matters: The choice of a superintendent sets district priorities and leadership for years; Rasciopi’s statement frames the dispute as a procedural and accountability question about how the district selects its top official.
The board did not take immediate action on the call for a renewed national search during the meeting; the agenda that followed included approval of a revised superintendent job description that the board voted to adopt later in the session.
Another public speaker, Andy Arevalo (past president of the Dunnellon Chamber), asked the board to reconsider allowing the Dunnellon Chamber to host a July 4 fireworks display at Dunnellon High School. Arevalo said the chamber has secured $5,000,000 in insurance coverage, retained nationally recognized pyrotechnicians, and believes the school’s 87.5-acre campus provides safe separation between launch points and spectators. "We respectfully ask the board to reconsider allowing the Dunnellon Chamber to host the July 4 fireworks at the Dunnellon High School Football Stadium," Arevalo said, adding that organizers will work with district staff on safety measures.
Board response and next steps: Board members and staff thanked both public speakers and noted that the district will continue to gather more information. Chair and superintendent comments acknowledged receipt of the speakers' materials (including Rasciopi’s letter) and indicated staff would follow up; no formal vote or permit decision was made about the July 4 event at the meeting.
Context and details: Rasciopi referenced test-score trends and the timing of the interim superintendent’s appointment in May, saying there was not enough "run time" to skip a comparative search. Arevalo said alternate sites had been sought and none were suitable. The board’s public-speaker rules and timelines were explained by the school board attorney at the start of the meeting.
What’s next: The board may address superintendent search procedures and facility-use requests in future meetings; staff told the board they will follow up on the Dunnellon Chamber's contact information and further details will be shared when available.
