Three outsiders chosen as Broward superintendent finalists
The search for the next Broward schools superintendent is down to three candidates, and one of them is not longtime administrator Valerie Wanza, an employee favorite.
Each School Board member picked up to three people among a group of seven semifinalists to choose as finalists. After a lengthy and heated discussion over the process, including failed motions to expand the finalist pool to four to include Wanza, the School Board ultimately agreed to stick to three.
Peter Licata, regional superintendent, Palm Beach County Schools, received six votes (from Lori Alhadeff, Brenda Fam, Sarah Leonardi, Norah Rupert, Debbie Hixon and Daniel Foganholi).
Luis Solano, deputy superintendent for the Detroit Public Schools Community District, also received six votes (Jeff Holness, Alhadeff, Fam, Hixon, Leonardi and Rupert).
Sito Narcisse, superintendent, East Baton Rouge School District, received five votes (Torey Alston, Allen Zeman, Alhadeff, Fam and Foganholi).
Wanza, the district’s chief of staff, placed fourth after receiving four votes — Alston, Foganholi, Hixon and Holness.
Other eliminated candidates were Jason Nault, an associate superintendent in Waukegan, Ill.; Wanda Paul, chief operating officer for the Houston Independent School District; and Rita Raichoudhuri, former superintendent in Kalamazoo, Mich.
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Numerous public speakers, including principals, labor representatives and some members of Broward’s Black community, urged the board to choose Wanza. Four employee groups and Interim Superintendent Earlean Smiley sent board members letters of support for Wanza.
But several School Board members said it was important to find an outside candidate to try to change the culture in the Broward School District.
“It seems Dr. Wanza is being tormented because of who she was under,” said Chandra Evans, a positive behavioral specialist with the district, referring to previous superintendents who were forced out.
The votes on Tuesday came after board members watched videos the seven semifinalists created. They were asked to introduce themselves, discuss their priorities for the first 90 days and explain how they would manage an emergency such as the widespread flooding in Broward that shut schools down for two days in April.
The three finalists are scheduled to appear before the board for interviews starting June 14, with the superintendent chosen June 15.
This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.
