First Up: Community opinion sought in search for Broward schools superintendent

The Broward County School Board has announced that it wants to hear from the community about what they want in the next superintendent of Broward County Public Schools. The board launched a new stakeholder survey, which is open now through April 6, to gather comment.

The survey is available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole and Portuguese, the website says. It provides participants “an opportunity to share feedback on topics such as the characteristics and experiences they feel are important in the new superintendent, the educational programs available in the district, and what they believe are the most important issues and challenges” facing the local schools.

Dr. Earlean Smiley, now serving as the interim superintendent for Broward County schools, has said little publicly about her goals for the district but has promised not to seek the position as permanent superintendent. Broward’s school district has more than 270,000 students and an annual budget of $4 billion. 

One thing’s certain: The county’s school board wants to avoid the serial controversies of her predecessor, Vickie Cartwright, who had been strongly criticized by the state Department of Education before being fired by the board. She was blasted for a decision to defy state orders banning mask mandates in schools, and was called too slow in making changes, including on school safety.

– David Volz