Local finalist pulls out of Broward superintendent race as school board plans redo vote

Sonja Isger, Palm Beach Post
·2 min read
Palm Beach County public school administrators Peter Licata (left) and Keith Oswald (right) are among the four finalists vying for the top job in Broward County Public Schools.
Palm Beach County public school administrators Peter Licata (left) and Keith Oswald (right) are among the four finalists vying for the top job in Broward County Public Schools.

Amid concerns about the process the Broward County School Board used to narrow its field of superintendent candidates, the district has announced it will redo the vote next week. But one of two Palm Beach County administrators to make the now-moot final four, south area superintendent Peter Licata, has withdraw from consideration.

In a brief note, Licata thanked the school board members for their consideration, adding "However, at this time I am stepping away from the process."

He also congratulated the other would-be finalists, including Broward's interim superintendent Vicki Cartwright and Licata's colleague, Chief of Equity and Wellness Keith Oswald. Licata declined to discuss what prompted his withdrawal.

Recent school news: Palm Beach County schools land $1M grant to beef up mental health programs

COVID in schools: New school-based COVID testing could put dent in soaring student absences

Keith Oswald still vying for Broward superintendent's job

Oswald confirmed Thursday that he is keeping his hat in the ring. The nine-member Broward board will meet Tuesday to redo the vote in question.

The board originally met Tuesday to review a list of 10 candidates, each selecting their top three to five candidates in a manner that is sometimes described as a secret ballot.

The names of four candidates with the most votes were read aloud, but the votes from individual board members were not revealed publicly at the meeting, according to accounts first reported in the Sun Sentinel and later confirmed by the Broward school communications office in a statement Wednesday.

The statement said that tally sheet was later shared with those who requested the information.

An email request from The Palm Beach Post seeking a vote confirmation Tuesday night and again Wednesday was answered Thursday morning.

"To ensure the integrity of the superintendent search process, the School Board will hold the meeting again on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at 10 a.m.," according to the statement. The board had scheduled finalists' interviews for Wednesday, when the field would be narrowed to two candidates. Another public interview takes place Feb. 8, and a board vote follows on Feb. 9.

@sonjaisger

sisger@pbpost.com

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach County's Peter Licata drops out for Broward superintendent