Hillsborough's Terrence Connor selected as new Sarasota School Board superintendent

Concluding a months-long process to find the district's next leader, the Sarasota School Board chose Terrence Connor from Hillsborough County as the district's next superintendent by a 3-2 vote.

Connor has been the deputy superintendent and chief academic officer of Hillsborough County Public Schools. He was ranked as the School Board's first choice ahead of this week's committee and board interviews and emerged as what many in the public called the "clear choice" among the four top candidates to be the district's next leader during a period of turmoil.

Board Vice Chair Karen Rose made the motion to hire Connor, with Tom Edwards seconding, representing both ideological sides of the board agreeing on a candidate.

"He comes with a proven track record of accomplishment, and he exemplifies that," Rose said.

Connor holds a bachelor’s degree in Middle Grades Education from the University of North Florida and a Master of Administration & Management from Nova Southeastern University.

Robyn Marinelli joined the majority in the vote, with Chairwoman Bridget Ziegler and Tim Enos dissenting. Ziegler said Connor did not have a finger on the pulse of fringe issues that she said can divide the community. After the meeting, Ziegler said she was ready to work with any superintendent toward the success of Sarasota's students.

The details of Connor's contract, including his start date, will be approved at an upcoming board meeting.

Following his selection, Connor told the Herald-Tribune he appreciated the board doing its due diligence in the selection process, and said that he was excited to get started.

“I can't wait to get to work and help move Sarasota to be the number one district academically in the state of Florida,” Connor said.

He said the first thing he wants to do when he walks into the district building as Sarasota’s superintendent is begin to engage stakeholders.

“I want to provide some forums to engage with our teachers, start meeting with our community — our parents, students — as we roll into the school year, and just really listening, learning as much as I can about the district,” he said. “Start connecting with community partners, establishing those relationships and really just getting a complete picture about the landscape of Sarasota County.”

Connor drew criticism from some because of the circumstances of his wife’s departure from Hillsborough County Public Schools over an investigation into testing practices. At a citizen advisory committee meeting Monday, Connor called any accusations into his wife “unfounded and false,” and described her departure as a step she took to support his own goal of serving as a superintendent. Connor’s wife now works for McGraw Hill as a national solutions architect.

The School Board, which had private interviews with the four finalists on Tuesday, faced an audience of about 40 to hear the public's preferences for who would replace Brennan Asplen, whose removal as superintendent following last year's School Board elections, drew strong public criticism.

The four candidates, who each were leaders from Florida school districts, vied for the position through board interviews, advisory committee meetings and public town halls.

The finalists included Connor, Josiah Phillips from Broward County, current Sarasota Interim Superintendent Allison Foster and Charles Van Zant of Clay County, who carried the endorsement of former President Donald Trump's controversial first national security advisor Michael Flynn.

Public input on Sarasota's next superintendent

Early in Wednesday's public comment period, the majority of the speakers rose in support of Foster to be the board's choice. They argued that her roots in the district, current status as the district's interim superintendent and her classroom background as reasons why she was the "clear choice" as some said.

"Close your eyes and think about the kids. Don't think about everybody else or anything else political. But think about the kids. And when you open your eyes, I guarantee you see Allison Foster," said David Rosenberg, a parent of students at Cardinal Mooney.

Those in support of Foster included former staff members who worked for her at Phillippi Shores. They spoke glowingly about their experiences working with her, and said Foster would bring that philosophy to leading the district.

Later in public comment, more speakers supported Connor as the "only qualified candidate" to be Sarasota's next superintendent. Some cited achievement growth in Hillsborough County as evidence that Connor could lead the district effectively.

Connor was described as a qualified, non-political candidate in contrast Van Zant, who many framed as a political choice.

"The board must choose for our superintendent the one candidate who does not appear to have extreme views or lack of qualifications for such an important position in our district," Jill Lewis-Spector said in support of Connor.

Two speakers didn't speak in support of any candidate, but rather against Van Zant. One said an endorsement from Flynn and Van Zant's self-description as a conservative should disqualify him from leading the district. They said the public has sent a clear message that it wants an apolitical superintendent, which Van Zant did not heed.

"If this board wants controversy, pick Mr. Van Zant. If you want what's right for the community, please exclude him," the speaker said.

Several people supported Van Zant cited his military and Christian religious background. Jeff Umbaugh, a former Clay County principal, said that while he's "non-traditional," he's highly effective and would make a great superintendent in Sarasota.

"I've watched this innovating, engaging and nontraditional superintendent accomplish great things," he said.

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Two of the members of the citizen advisory committee, Jennifer Cottrill and Riverview High student Sebastian Girstl supported Phillips. They both said he offered concrete solutions to the district's issues, such as reading achievement.

"He states the facts as they are, and shows that he will put the students before himself," Girstl said.

Follow Herald-Tribune Education Reporter Steven Walker on Twitter at @swalker_7. He can be reached at sbwalker@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota School Board selects Terrence Connor as next superintendent