Indian River school superintendent David Moore national superintendent of the year finalist
TC Palm | December 16, 2024
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — On the heels of being named Florida superintendent of the year, Indian River schools Superintendent David Moore on Monday was named one of four finalists to become national superintendent of the year.
Moore, Indian River superintendent since 2019, shares the School Superintendents Association finalist spot with superintendents from Peoria, Illinois; Jefferson County, Alabama; and Bentonville Arkansas. The association will name the winner during its national conference March 6-8 in New Orleans.
Superintendent David Moore speaks during Sebastian River High School’s class of 2023 commencement ceremony at the school’s stadium, Friday, May 19, 2023.
It is the highest recognition a superintendent can earn in the United States.
Earlier this month Moore was named Florida superintendent of the year by the Florida Association of District Schools Superintendents and Florida School Boards Association.
“As a lifelong advocate for public education, I am incredibly proud of Dr. Moore and our district,” Peggy Jones, lifetime educator and Indian River School Board vice chair, said in a statement. “Under Dr. Moore’s leadership, our district has created a culture and a blueprint on how to cultivate the conditions for high-quality student learning experiences and world-class public schools.”
Indian River County schools jumped this year from 38th in the state to ninth in terms of test scores and student achievement. Moore has credited the school district staff, students and community with putting in the work to achieve the improvements.
Under Moore’s leadership here, the number of school receiving “A” grades doubled.
Moore was hired by Indian River schools from the Miami-Dade School District, where he had been an assistant superintendent. He came to Indian River schools just months before the COVID-19 pandemic and delivered year-over-year student achievement gains at a time when superintendents and researchers across America were dealing with learning loss.
Moore has worked with the private sector in Indian River County to launch the Indian River Education Fund; and has spearheaded innovative efforts in school choice, teacher retention and data-driven decision-making. He also was recognized earlier this month as the STAR Superintendent from the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations for his work in engaging business and philanthropic leaders to support the district, according to a statement.
“I strongly believe the transformation realized by our (Indian River County School District) educators can be achieved by public schools across our nation,” Moore said in a statement. “The alignment of beliefs and actions that are wholly focused on the best interest of students establishes a strong foundation for educators, students and public schools to flourish.”
