Indian River County school Superintendent Moore named Florida superintendent of the year
TCPalm | By Colleen Wixon | December 4, 2024
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — 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 Superintendent David Moore greets first grade students on their first day of school, Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, at Vero Beach Elementary School.
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.”
Indian River County Superintendent David Moore speaks with a student at Indian River Academy, Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, on the first day of school in Vero Beach.
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.
