In her written evaluation, she rated Balgobin proficient on just 31% of the 26 categories covering topics such as the quality of instruction and staff, the safety and supportiveness of the district's environment, resources and processes, community engagement, and board relations.
Balgobin began as Volusia's full-time superintendent in 2022 after having served a 10-month stint as the interim superintendent in 2020-21. She is in the first year of her new, four-year contract that pays her $280,000 annually .
What did school board members say about Balgobin's performance?
Board member Ruben Colón gave Balgobin the highest rating, "proficient," on each of the 26 performance areas.
"I want to thank Dr. Balgobin for always keeping her focus on where it belongs, which is on our students," he said. "Every decision you make, every initiative you lead, every challenge you address has been one with students at the center of your decision-making."
Colón said that while proficient "does not mean perfect," it does mean she performs her duties at a high level.
"When she has been treated with rudeness and disruption, or even when she has been personally attacked, she has chosen to remain composed, respectful, and focused, Colón said. "Thank you for that. ... That kind of restraint and focus is not easy, but it's a sign of real leadership."
Jessie Thompson, who was elected to the board just months after Balgobin was hired, said she appreciates their relationship and that evidence demonstrates her effectiveness.
Thompson expressed pride in the district and challenged anyone to look at all the evidence of the district's progress and say there's been no change. "So I appreciate it, I really do, you going through this with me and always entertaining those out-of-the-box ideas."
Thompson, too, gave Balgobin all "proficient" marks.
Board member: 'You are a rock star'
Krista Goodrich, who was elected to the board in November 2024, said she campaigned on "bringing business to the table."
"What I didn't know was how much business you're already bringing to the table.
"You're so good at marrying business and running a major operation with the care that's needed for children and making sure their education is strong," Goodrich said. "My evaluation is not because I'm a sheep. It's because you are a rock star.
"I think you're doing a wonderful job," Goodrich said. "Do I think anyone is perfect? No. But do I think Volusia County is exceptionally lucky to have you? Someone who is also nominated as National Superintendent of the Year, and not for any other reason than you deserve it."
Goodrich gave Balgobin all proficient marks except for two "reasonable progress toward expectation" scores. They were for "effective two-way communication between district and schools, community and local governments," and "provides information from all perspectives and clarifies issues to board."
Haynes gave Balgobin proficient marks on everything but two reasonable progress scores: supervision of the budget and delegating responsibility and authority to staff members.
She recounted how Balgobin became superintendent, starting as deputy superintendent right before the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, Scott Fritz, the newly appointed superintendent, was diagnosed with cancer and took seven months off for treatment.
Balgobin was made acting superintendent and earned the respect of Haynes, Colon and others at the time. After Fritz returned, Balgobin left for a job in Broward County, but the board in 2022 voted 3-2 to fire Fritz and asked Balgobin to return.
Haynes said she repeatedly asked about teacher vacancies in spring 2019, and finally, she learned there were almost 150 classroom teacher vacancies. "Fast forward to now, we opened this school year with only 44 classroom teacher vacancies. ... Look at the progress we have made."
Haynes thanked Balgobin for "taking a chance on Volusia County" and returning to the full-time superintendent's job three years ago.
"I'm proud of where we are right now," Haynes said.
Half of Brosemer's ratings were 'needs improvement'
Brosemer gave Balgobin 13 'needs improvement' scores out of the 26; she also rated Balgobin proficient on eight areas and 'reasonable progress' on five.
During the meeting, Brosemer steered away from specifics.
"I noted where I think Dr. Balgobin's special gifts are, and there are many," she said. "And I also noted areas where I think we can improve. And we can talk about those anytime."
But in her comments, Brosemer revealed the extent of the rift between her and the superintendent, writing:
Under an area reading, "works to create and maintain a positive working relationship with each member of the school board," Brosemer wrote: "Dr. Balgobin and I have met once. I had asked to meet during the campaign with no reply. She then requested a meeting with me just before I was sworn in. At that meeting, I explained that our roles are different, because I answer to the voters, and she answers to the board." Brosemer said the board chair should "have a lead role on our website and in our public events," but Balgobin "was not happy with my comments, so aside from some frosty email exchanges, we have not interacted since."
Under a category about delegating authority, Brosemer wrote: "Principals and teachers from around the district have expressed a need for greater autonomy and flexibility, which would demonstrate confidence in district employees and encourage ideas and innovation."
And under a category about collaborating to determine priorities for budgeting, Brosemer wrote: "Dr. Balgobin is selective. For those not in the inner circle, communication is left to her staff," Brosemer wrote. "Public comments from board members suggest that private conversations have resulted in inconsistent shared information, that has in turn created misunderstandings and unnecessary disagreements between board members."
Warning to board: 'Do not go through another 8 years of hell'
Cynthia Slater, president of the Volusia County/Daytona Beach branch of the NAACP, described her organization's working relationship with Volusia County Schools over the past 25 years as "good, bad or indifferent," but she said Balgobin's arrival in 2022, the NAACP has had monthly meetings with the district to provide concerns from the community and to learn how children can have the best opportunities possible.
"It has been nothing but an honest and positive relationship. I want to congratulate Dr. Balgobin, Dr. B, as she is so affectionately known, for receiving high marks from the School Board and for being nationally recognized for her leadership," Slater said.
Another longtime Daytona Beach activist Daisy Grimes also praised Balgobin.
"Let me commend our superintendent for a job well done in a very challenging situation," Grimes said. "I want to commend you. I know it has not been easy. ... We got an A."
Former school boad member Linda Cuthbert, a retired English teacher, said Volusia County went through a challenging stretch of four superintendents before Balgobin was hired and urged the board to work together.
"It's not a personal agenda board. You work as a unit together for happiness, for growth, to see smiles on our kids, to celebrate our children and their support staff," she said. "... You must make sure that you always work together as a unit. Not against each other. But (the superintendent) is your partner through thick and thin. Do not go through another eight years of hell."
David Jimenez, a business leader and member of the FUTURES Foundation of Volusia County Schools, said he is celebrating the superintendent's success, and that while all opinions are welcome, "respect is something that is necessary when you are ... your goal is to be good for the children."
https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/education/2025/09/01/volusia-county-schools-superintendent-carmen-balgobin-receives-job-performance-review/85842689007/
