26 apply for Broward schools superintendent

Twenty-six people are vying to become Broward school’s next superintendent, including several familiar names.

Several are high-ranking officials in Broward and Palm Beach counties. Longtime administrator Valerie Wanza, chief of staff to Interim Superintendent Earlean Smiley, is probably the best known in Broward County. She is being supported by several employee unions.

Two former Broward school administrators also are applying.

Shernette Grant, the chief program officer for Junior Achievement of South Florida, is a former principal at Willian Dandy Middle in Fort Lauderdale and director of innovative programs. She was named principal of Blanche Ely High last year but resigned before the School Board could approve her appointment.

Jason Nault, who has been an associate superintendent of teaching and learning, equity and accountability in Waukegan, Ill., since 2018. Before that, he was a principal for two years at J.P. Taravella High in Coral Springs.

Two Palm Beach County administrators who applied when the job was open in 2022, Peter Licata and Keith Oswald, are trying again. Both made a list of four finalists last time, but Licata, a regional superintendent, withdrew without giving a reason.

Some board members eliminated Oswald, chief of equity and wellness in Palm Beach County, amid concern about his role in a scandal involving a high school principal who told a parent he couldn’t confirm the Holocaust was a factual event. Oswald supervised the principal and initially did not discipline him. The principal was later fired after the case received international attention.

A former Palm Beach County administrator also has applied. Wanda Paul is a former chief facilities officer and chief operating officer with Palm Beach County schools. She now serves as chief operating officer for the Houston Independent School District.

The School Board could choose finalists as soon as Tuesday. Here is the complete list:

Wayne Alexander, principal at Batala School in Bridgeport, Conn.Stephen Bournes, deputy superintendent and chief academic officer for the Chester Community Charter School in Chester, Pa.Sibyl Brooks, principal of Toquam Magnet Elementary in Stamford, Conn.Raymond Bryant, superintendent of Thomasville City Schools in Georgia.Nicola (Nick) Campagna, superintendent of the Hermitage School District in Harrellsville, N.C.Kwame Davis, an educator for the Jackson Public School District in Mississippi.James Drake, a senior engineer/superintendent for DTG Associates in California and a former associate superintendent in Gonzales, Calif.Michael Esposito, director of pupil services for the Helendale School District in California.Eric Flohr, a foreign service officer and Florida-based director with the U.S. Department of State.Stacia Foster, a former teacher and a lawyer based in Coral Springs.Ken Goeken, director of special education and support services for the Rocklin Unified School District in California.Shernette Grant, chief program officer for Junior Achievement of South Florida.Peter Licata, regional superintendent, Palm Beach CountyEddie Mitchell, a science teacher at Lanier James Education Center in Hallandale Beach.Jason Nault, an associate superintendent of teaching and learning, equity and accountability, Waukegan, Ill.,Virgilio Ogando, a reading teacher in Cape Coral, Fla.Keith Oswald, chief of equity and wellness for the Palm Beach County School District.Wanda Paul, chief operating officer for the Houston Independent School District.Oscar Rico, executive director of technology, Canutillo Independent School District in El Paso, Texas.Senide Roque, a teacher at Toni Bilbao Preparatory Academy in Miami.Chad Schilling, an English teacher at Charles Flanagan High in Pembroke Pines.Luis Solano, deputy superintendent for the Detroit Public Schools Community District.Art Stellar, founder and CEO of Stellar Advantage management consulting firm in Hingham, Mass., and a former superintendent in several school districts.Adam Taylor, a consultant and former superintendent with Rutland City Public Schools in Vermont.Valerie Wanza, chief of staff for Broward County Public Schools.Caprice Young, interim CEO and superintendent of iLEAD California, a network of six charter schools in Los Angeles.

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