Indian River County school Superintendent Moore named Florida superintendent of the year
School Superintendent David Moore has been named the Florida superintendent of the year.
Moore, who has been Indian River County superintendent since 2019, was recognized Wednesday at the joint meeting of the Florida Association of District Schools Superintendents and Florida School Boards Association in Tampa. He is the first Indian River superintendent to achieve the award.
He also was recognized with the STAR award by the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations for his work in engaging business and philanthropic leaders to support the district, according to a statement. Moore was selected for the award from among all Florida school districts and education foundations. Moore worked to create the Indian River Education Fund to encourage businesses to contribute to the school district.
Indian River County schools jumped this year from 38th in the state to ninth in terms of test scores and student achievement, Moore said. While he received the recognition, Moore credited the school district staff, students and community with putting in the work.
"It's the district's continued improvement. We are the most improved," Moore said. "It's the students in the classrooms producing these results."
District's grade, morale, finances improve
Under Moore's leadership, the school district has earned two consecutive A grades from the state Department of Education. He's also credited with improving employee morale and resolving the district's financial issues. In October, the School Board gave him a 22% raise to $239,000, citing concerns that other school districts might try to recruit him.
Moore said he has no plans to leave Indian River County, where he made a conscious decision to move from Miami-Dade Public Schools.
School Board members praised Moore's achievements, and the improvements the district made under his leadership.
"He's here for our kids. He's doing everything he can for our kids," said board member Peggy Jones. "He not only 'talks the talk,' but he walks the walk."
Award reflects on the community
The award is a reflection on the entire community, Jones said, noting that Moore recognized the staff and community for the district's accomplishments this year.
"It's all about the teamwork," Jones said. Moore's mantra is that everyone works hard to get things done together, she said. "He knows that in a leadership position, you've got to have a team. We've all got to be on the same path."
"(Moore) is the hardest working superintendent I've ever known.," board member Jacqueline Rosario said in a statement to TCPalm. "His focus for high levels of teaching and learning is undoubtedly a priority for him. This is the kind of leader we expected when we hired him, and I'm glad in this area he has not disappointed."
Moore now is in line to be recognized as national superintendent of the year, an award to be announced at the American Association of School Administrators conference in March. Moore is expected to represent Florida at the conference.
"(Moore) leads with compassion and conviction, driven by a work ethic grounded in servant leadership and a commitment to educational excellence to drive transformative change in public schools, said Tim Forson, St. Johns County school superintendent and president of the superintendents association, in a statement.
The superintendent of the year award was created in 1988. Moore is the 37th superintendent to receive it, according to the superintendents association.
Colleen Wixon is the education reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers. She covers school districts in Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie counties.