- December 26, 2024
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Discussions covered experience as well as cultural issues before the Sarasota County School Board voted 3-2 to select Terrence Connor as the school district's next superintendent on June 14.
Vice Chair Karen Rose made the motion to nominate Connor as superintendent, with the motion being seconded by Tom Edwards. Robyn Marinelli also voted in favor of Connor's confirmation, with Chair Bridget Ziegler and Tim Enos in dissent.
Rose said she listed Connor has her top choice due to his experience in the field of education.
Connor brings a history of experience in different school districts. He 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.
“This community deserves a top-notch candidate, and I will not be able to stray from that,” Rose said.
Ziegler said Connor was not equipped to deal with "culture war" issues within the district.
"My strongest belief is that issues that have plagued us prior, seem very reminiscent in the potential recommendation being presented right now," she said.
Interim Superintendent Allison Foster will remain in the role until a start date is identified for Connor and a contract implemented.
Prior to the meeting, Connor had emerged as the candidate preferred by the Superintendent Search Citizen Advisory Committee, among a list that included Josiah Phillips, Charles Van Zant and interim superintendent Allison Foster.
Van Zant formerly served as superintendent of Schools for Clay County in Florida and brought a master of arts in organizational leadership from Regent University and more than 30 years of experience in the military.
Phillips has a doctorate in educational leadership and administration from Liberty University and currently serves as chief information officer for Broward County Public Schools.
Foster has served as interim superintendent for Sarasota County Schools since the removal of former Superintendent Brennan Asplen in December 2022 and holds a doctorate in education administration and policy from the University of Florida.
Some concerns surrounded the departure of Connor's wife, Star Connor, from Hillsborough County Schools, where she served as a regional superintendent, amid an investigation of testing practices in the district.
During a Citizen's Advisory Committee meeting on June 12, Connor described the accusations as false, saying she chose to leave public education so he could pursue a superintendent role and that it was preferable that someone not serve in the same district as their spouse.
Prior to the vote, the board members brought differing concerns to the table.
“I believe in the science of education. I know and I have lived, observed and experienced all of the layers, the multitude of layers, the education, that goes into that science and what it takes for a student to just be able to read by third grade,” said Rose.
Edwards said that based on conversations with the candidates, he found Connor's approach would not be disruptive to the district, though he could still work with any of the candidates.
“I wanted to understand, are they coming in and looking for a continuous improvement model, or are they coming in with a wrecking ball and starting over? That, in my opinion, was a big mistake if somebody presented that, and those were some of the conversations that were difficult, with the four candidates, that I had.”
He also said Connor’s experience managing a district larger than Sarasota would be useful for the district's future.
Enos listed Foster as his first choice.
"I think that Dr. Foster does bring that piece of being here, graduated from here, started at the bottom," he said.
Ziegler said she was tied between Foster and Phillips, also noting that she thought Van Zant, through his military background, afforded "a unique opportunity" for the district.
She said she was concerned that what she described as past issues in the district could reemerge if Connor were chosen, and that while he brought the institutional knowledge required, his approach would not sufficiently address the cultural war.
The previous superintendent, Brennan Asplen, left the district in February following the termination of his contract by the board.
“If we can’t find a way to put up barriers so that (the culture war) is not constantly creating divisions between our community, whoever can lead in that manner is what’s going to get us past all of this, and get us refocused on our common ground to our students’ success," she said.
Initially, Enos recommended that the whole board adopt the will of the majority to offer a 5-0 vote in favor of Connor, before Ziegler said board members should stand with their preferred candidates, as whomever was chosen would still have the support of all board members.
During public comment prior to the vote, the majority of speakers favored the choice of either Foster or Connor.
Jill Marsh, a teacher with Sarasota County Schools, spoke about Foster's work as principal at Philippi Shores Elementary School, which included collaborative relationships with local businesses and a “culture of respect.”
“She has always given us the best opportunities to help lead our students in the right direction. Her passion for Sarasota County and moving it forward in an unstable world right now, is evident," she said.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Bornstein, a parent and volunteer in the district, said Connor would prioritize academic achievement, invigorate the district and retain highly effective staff members.
“After careful review and consideration, it is absolutely clear Terrence Connor is the most qualified for the superintendent position, and should be offered the job today,” she said.
Connor said he was eager to begin leading Sarasota's school district towards its future.
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 and 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.
“Sarasota to me was just very attractive because of its tradition of excellence,” Connor said. “I’m excited about this opportunity. I think Sarasota is wonderful and ready to take off, and be the destination district that I know everyone wants it to be. And I'm just honored and humbled that I'll be able to help lead that work.”
