Terrence Connor selected as superintendent of Sarasota County Schools

On Wednesday, the School Board of Sarasota County voted 3-2 to approve Terrence Connor as superintendent of Sarasota County Schools.

Connor currently serves as deputy superintendent and chief academic officer of Hillsborough County Public Schools and previously held the roles of chief academic officer and assistant superintendent for curriculum at School District of Clay County, after serving that district as chief of secondary education.

Vice Chair Karen Rose made the motion to nominate Connor as superintendent, with the motion seconded by Tom Edwards. Robyn Marinelli voted in favor of Connor's confirmation, with chairwoman Bridget Ziegler and Tim Enos in dissent.

Connor was selected from a series of four candidates including Dr. Josiah Phillips, Charles Van Zant, and interim superintendent Dr. Allison Foster.

“I am grateful to the board for choosing me to lead the schools in this wonderful community," Connor said in a media release. "I share the district’s vision for keeping learning at the center of everything we do and have seen the great things that can happen when educators and families are committed to doing that. Together, I know we will work to help all of our students succeed and can make Sarasota County Schools number one in the state.” 

Connor has served as principal at Samuel W. Wolfson High School and Oceanway Middle School, and as assistant principal of curriculum and as a comprehensive science teacher for grades 7 and 8 at Oceanway Middle School, all in Duval County.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in middle grades education from the University of North Florida and a master's degree in administration & management from Nova Southeastern University, as well as Florida certifications in educational leadership (all levels), school principal (all levels), general science (grades 5-9), mathematics (grades 5-9) and physical education (grades K-12). 

Connor also completed the National Institute of School Leadership’s Executive Development Program, and holds an instructional coaching certification from University of Florida’s Lastinger Center for Learning.