BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – As the Broward County School Board narrowed its search down to three finalists to find the district’s new superintendent, each candidate was asked questions Wednesday during a board meeting on their leadership plans.
All three candidates were interviewed by a panel of Broward County public school principals and were also asked about the changes they plan to make for underperforming schools, and much more.
The names of the three candidates are listed below:
- Peter Licata, regional superintendent, Palm Beach County School District
- Luis Solano, deputy superintendent, Detroit School District; former associate superintendent in Collier County and principal in Miami-Dade County Public Schools
- Sito Narcisse, superintendent, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana School District
One principal asked, “How will you ensure school-based leadership input is sought and applied to district decisions prior to creating and implementing initiatives and policies that directly impact the schools?”
“You are the heart and soul of this district and if I, as superintendent, am not listening to my principal leadership, I’m simply a member in this building. I am not in touch with what is going on in my schools,” said Licata.
Licata was born and raised in Broward County. He went to McNabb Elementary School and began his teaching career as geography teacher and is now regional superintendent for the Palm Beach County School District overseeing 59 schools.
Narcisse told Local 10 News that he can speak multiple languages which has helped students solve many problems over the years.
“I grew up speaking another language, French and Creole at home and learned English in school in New York, so I have some experiences very similar to many children here in Broward County,” he said.
“One is making sure I create a safe and secure environment for learning for kids,” said Narcisse. “Number two is focus on student achievement.”
Solano is currently a deputy superintendent for the Detroit School District. He was also a principal for Miami Norland Senior High School in Miami Gardens where he says it was one point away from being an F-rated school. He told panelists Wednesday that he along with his colleagues transformed it into an A-rated school.
“Should I receive (and) be offered this position, you will have a former principal who will partner with you in getting this work accomplished,” he said.
The Broward School Board voted in February to find a new superintendent after deciding to immediately part ways with controversial former schools chief Vickie Cartwright.
The candidates will also be interviewed by members of the school board Thursday who will then make their selection for the county’s next superintendent. There will also be public commentary before there is a final vote from board members.
To review applicants’ video responses to three pre-determined questions, resumes and a complete timeline of the superintendent search process, visit browardschools.com/supersearch.