Indian River County school superintendent not chosen for national superintendent award
Indian River County school Superintendent David Moore, one of four finalists for National Superintendent of the Year will return home without that top award.
Walter Gonsoulin Jr., of Jefferson County (Alabama) schools, received the national award Thursday during the AASA, the School Superintendent's Association's annual conference in New Orleans.
About 25 Indian River school district staff members, administrators, School Board members and community supporters gathered for a watch party Thursday afternoon at the district administration building to watch the livestreamed announcement.
Moore was named Florida Superintendent of the Year in December. Since Moore has been superintendent here, the district has come from being ranked 38th in the state to ninth. Five years ago, 46% of the district's schools were graded A or B schools. Today, 95% of the schools have that distinction. Standardized test scores are higher, and the district has a 96% graduation rate.
The winner of the national award receives a $10,000 college scholarship for students in his or her district.
Other finalists for National Superintendent of the Year were Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat, of Peoria (Illinois) Public School District 150; and Debbie Jones, of the Bentonville (Arkansas) School District.
Colleen Wixon is the education reporter for TCPalm/Treasure Coast Newspapers. She covers school districts in Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie counties.