Q: What are your thoughts on the recently concluded search for a new superintendent?
A: In spite of a very busy month in May, school board members were able to give the superintendent search their full attention. I liked how the interviews on the first day were in public, because it gave an opportunity for people to watch live or later on GTV. We were able to get insight into what each candidate thought on a variety of topics with questions asked by the school board members: community relations, finance/business operations, academics, leadership, and student performance. Each of these are core competencies for a superintendent and are in fact the areas in which they are evaluated.
Q: Can you share how the meet and greet that evening went?
A: It was excellent to see how many community members came to this event and to watch their interactions with the candidates. The event was very informal; each candidate had time to introduce and share a bit about themselves and then there was an opportunity to engage with the public, which was hugely beneficial.
Q: How did the interview sessions conclude?
A: The next day, each school board member rotated with a one hour interview with each candidate. This gave us an opportunity for deeper follow up questions from the previous day, their vision for the district, and their plans for moving forward. The community was also invited to give feedback on the strengths of each candidate following the public interviews. At our meeting on May 20, school board members had the opportunity to discuss the strengths each candidate would bring to St. Johns County and who we thought would be the best fit for us.
We are so very pleased to enthusiastically welcome Dr. Brennan Asplen as our new superintendent. We know he will make our school district stronger and provide excellent support to our teachers, staff, students and community as well as the continued excellence of St. Johns County schools. Summer will provide a great opportunity for our new superintendent to settle into his new position before the new school year starts.
Q: Do you have any kudos to share?
A: Yes! High School Art winners from District 4 included: Gracie Trantham, Ponte Vedra High School, first place digital art; Laila Amin, Ponte Vedra High School, first place ceramics/pottery; Elizabeth Darnell, Ponte Vedra High School, first place 2-D mixed media and printmaking; and Alexandra Brockwell, Ponte Vedra High School first place drawing.
Winners of the 2025 Crime Stoppers Poster Contest included: Adeline Herrigel and Lily Mae Hooks from Palm Valley Academy, Ariana Bonilla Cuesta and Camila May from Pine Island Academy, and Nora Zelasko from Ponte Vedra High School.
Finally, I’d like to congratulate the Class of 2025 and wish them the very best in their journeys ahead.
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.
