School Board Plans National Search For Next Superintendent
Keys Weekly | By Mandy Miles | January 23, 2025
Turmoil and turnover at the top levels of government have burdened Florida Keys officials for the past two years.
The county needed a new administrator following a drug scandal and indictments. The city of Key West needed a new city manager following a contentious move by four commissioners to oust the one they had hired the previous year. Troubles plagued the Tourist Development Council, which last year replaced its director. And don’t get us started on Islamorada, where the Village Council changes managers the way most people change socks.
Aside from Islamorada, the storms have mostly subsided as agencies reclaim some semblance of stability.
Now it’s the school board’s turn to fill its top job, as Superintendent Theresa Axford, a 33-year veteran of Keys schools, retires July 31.
But don’t panic; they have a plan. And it doesn’t involve special meetings, last-minute votes, or legal concerns — well, at least not yet.
The county’s five elected school board members next week will finalize a timeline for a national superintendent search that is expected to end with their selection of a superintendent on May 6.
The board has hired consultants from the Florida School Boards Association to guide them through the months-long process that began informally in August 2024.
At their meeting Jan. 28 in Marathon, the board will approve a timeline for the search and an online survey that will ask all community members, with and without children in the school district, to rank their top priorities for a superintendent. The online survey will be available in English, Spanish and Creole and accessible at keysschools.com from Feb. 3-28.
The search consultants also will host in-person community forums at 6 p.m. on Feb. 11, 12 and 13 at Coral Shores, Marathon and Key West high schools, respectively.
Once the public provides input, the consultants will finalize the job description and advertisement. The consultants will post the job opening for superintendent from March 3 through April 1.
The Florida School Boards Association is affiliated with its counterparts in each state, and will ensure the job opening is advertised nationally and in relevant forums, school board member Sue Woltanski told the Keys Weekly on Jan. 21.
Woltanski then emphasized that the national search parameters should in no way discourage current and former school district employees to apply. The goal is to cast a wide net and find the best candidate. She pointed out that a small group of Keys residents, representing the conservative political group Moms for Liberty, had spoken at various board meetings and repeatedly insisted on a national search for a superintendent.
School board members had never opposed a national search, nor did they oppose the possibility of promoting a qualified candidate from within the school district.
Finalists for the job will be brought to the Keys the week of April 28 for interviews and a public reception, where they can interact with community members. The board will select the next superintendent at the May 6 meeting in Marathon. Contract negotiations will follow. The current superintendent’s salary is $175,000. The chosen candidate will start work July 1, allowing a month-long transition before Axford’s July 31 retirement.
Axford told the Keys Weekly this week that she is next considering a school board run.
“I am deeply committed to the continued growth of the Monroe County School District. I believe I could be an asset to the school board going forward. I have visited over 100 classrooms this school year and I am so gratified with the work our teachers are doing,” she said on Jan. 22. “Our students are happy, engaged and learning. Of course there are issues to be solved and that is what inspires me to continue. I want our teachers to continue to be supported with salary improvements and housing relief, whatever form it finally takes. As a community we must address this. I have a well-developed knowledge of our $307 million budget and could be an asset to the Board in its fiscal oversight and in finding new ways to stretch dollars and improve procedures to meet needs.”
Axford added, “I have spoken to Darren Horan who currently holds the seat in my district and he graciously told me that he completely understood why a person with my passion and dedication would be interested in becoming a School Board member. The term begins in 2026, so we will see how I feel after a period of retirement. I believe that the selection of a new Superintendent should be a smooth process. The Florida school boards association is facilitating the proceeding in the best possible way. They are very professional and committed to serving our families and the Board in making the decision.”
Community forums will take place at the following locations. Residents with and without children are invited to share their thoughts and priorities for the next superintendent.
Tuesday, Feb. 11: Coral Shores High School, 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 12: Marathon High School, 6 p.m..
Thursday, Feb. 13: Key West High School, 6 p.m.
