Duval Superintendent Search
Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Following former Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene’s retirement after five years in the position, DCPS is searching for her replacement.
Greene announced her retirement in May, and exited the position in June, with many having differing opinions about her retirement.
"...Make no mistake," Board Member Darryl Willie said in a news conference. "We're not here by accident. She's not retiring early; she's being forced out. That's how this works."
In response to Dr. Greene's retirement, parent Tarra Thomas said, “If she had to retire, it is what it is.” Thomas feels that “she made a good decision because things were getting heated, and it wasn’t looking good on her end.”
During her five years as superintendent, Dr. Greene made many changes to schools. Greene helped raise the funds needed for many school improvements and sought to change the names of schools that shared names with Confederate soldiers. She also was able to help schools transition back to in-school education plans after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I think that as the leader of schools, she is ultimately responsible for the conduct of employees underneath her,” journalism teacher Tim Williams said. “But I do also think that she made a lot of improvements during her time as the superintendent.”
Duval County Public Schools has the Florida School Board Association overlooking the process of finding a new superintendent. The position is being advertised and by November the list of candidates will be narrowed down. The school board held meetings and hosted surveys allowing students and parents to have input in the process.
“Honest, trustworthy, all about our kids and protecting our kids and the teachers' rights,” are among the qualities that Thomas hopes to see in the new superintendent. As for parent and student involvement in the selection process, Thomas thinks that “It’s needed, it's something that we should be involved in.”
Mr. Williams is sure that, “DCPS will conduct a thorough search and pick someone that they feel is the most qualified to lead our district.”