Broward school board names 3 semi-finalists for superintendent job
FORT LAUDERDALE -- The Broward County School Board voted Tuesday on three finalists who want to be the next superintendent
The board announced its selection following a nearly four hour discussion that turned contentious at times as the majority of spectators pushed for Dr Valerie Wanza to be included as a finalist.
Principals, parents and colleagues spoke of Wanza's tireless efforts on behalf of students and educators during her more than 30 years with the district.
But despite the chorus of praise, there weren't enough board votes to move her into the finalists category
The three finalists who received the most board votes were
- Peter Licata, who is an assistant superintendent in Palm Beach County and is a Broward native.
- Luis Solano, who is deputy superintendent of schools in Detroit and was a former high school principal for Miami-Dade.
- Sito Narcisse, a school superintendent in East Baton Rouge, Louisiana who emigrated with his parents from Haiti.
The board voted in February to hire the search firm of McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C to find a new schools chief after deciding to immediately part ways with controversial former schools chief Dr. Vicky Cartwright.
The board voted earlier this month to extend the job search for a new superintendent.
The school board adopted an amended timeline to hire a new schools chief, that includes:
- Finalists picked May 30.
- June 14 community input.
- June 15 new superintendent selected.
