Lakeland board rates superintendent 4.6/5; board authorizes contract negotiations for July

Board members at the Lakeland School System’s June meeting reported a high overall rating for the superintendent and asked staff to begin contract negotiations for consideration at the July meeting.

Board members said the superintendent evaluation — based on survey ratings across domains including leadership and strategic vision, community engagement, operations and financial management, student achievement and accountability, and integrity — produced an average score of 4.6 out of 5, which the speaker characterized as "highly successful." One board member thanked the superintendent for building the district from K–5 into a K–12 system and praised accessibility and visibility at school events.

"The total evaluation average is 4.6 out of five, which is a highly successful evaluation," the board member said during the discussion. Following the praise, the board member requested permission for the superintendent to enter contract negotiations and asked staff to place that item on the July agenda.

Board members unanimously agreed to include contract negotiation on the July agenda; no final contract was discussed or approved at the June meeting. The board emphasized that staff and the superintendent will bring a negotiation draft or recommendation back to the board for formal action.

The discussion included recognition of the district staff’s role in operational achievements; the superintendent acknowledged the staff and reiterated focus on students when responding to the board’s praise.

Next procedural steps: staff will place contract-negotiation materials on the July meeting agenda for board consideration.