Q: Do you have an update on the selection process for a new superintendent?
A: There will be an opportunity for community members to assist us in the search by providing feedback via an online survey. This will be available on the front page of the school district website from Jan. 20 through Feb. 14. Following that, there will be focus groups and community forums scheduled, where community members may share what characteristics they’d like to see in the next superintendent and provide this input to the school board. In May, we anticipate having face to face interviews (following video interviews and written responses). The resumes, video interviews, and written responses of all candidates will all be available on our website for people to view. We hope to select our new superintendent by the end of May with a start date of July 1.
Q: What can you tell us about this year’s upcoming legislative session?
A: We have approved our legislative platform and it is on our website. Key items include making the certification and recertification process less onerous for teachers to allow us to be more competitive for talent. Also, this recertification process puts another layer of burden on teachers who are already in the field and doing excellent work. We will be requesting additional funding for our ESE students as we are seeing students with more complex needs. And we are always asking for transportation to be fully funded. The transportation categorical in St. Johns County is currently funded at 45 percent of our costs — and we have the most efficient of our state mandated requirements in the state. So the money must come from other areas in our budget to address the shortfall.
Q: Is it time to start thinking about schools for next year?
A: We do encourage those families who are trying to make decisions for next school year to reach out to our schools for tours. This is a great way to get a feel for the school and meet the principal. There are especially lots of fun events for incoming kindergarteners. It’s important to note that PVPV/Rawlings and Ocean Palms Elementary will both be accepting students from out of zone and out of county next year as part of controlled open enrollment. Limited seats will be available because both schools’ anticipated enrollment will be less than 80 percent. This is a great opportunity for families who have wanted to attend one of these schools.
Q: What is one of the things the district is emphasizing this semester?
A: We have a big push to decrease absenteeism and increase attendance, especially as we go through the second semester. We want all of our students to finish strong.
Q: Do you have any kudos to share?
A: Congratulations to Sree Vidya Siliveri, an eighth-grader at Landrum Middle School, who won the annual St. Johns County School District Spelling Bee on Jan. 8. She won by spelling the word “diocese” correctly. This is her third consecutive win and last year she attended the National Spelling Bee in Washington DC.
Congratulations also to Rodrgrio Deleon Ruiz of Nease High School, who placed first in the Incubate Debate competition with the guidance of coach, Mary Geiger.
Q: How can our readers contact you?
A: They can email me at kelly.barrera@stjohns.k12.fl.us or call me at (904) 547-7510.
