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Hernando Today

28 apply for superintendent post

Local candidates Jackson, Pritz and Sullivan vie for position

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By Jeff Schmucker

Hernando Today

Published: November 2, 2009

Brooksville - The district's current interim superintendent, along with the current and a former Hernando High School principal are among 28 applicants for the Hernando County Schools superintendent position and the only local candidates.

Interim Superintendent Sonya Jackson, current Hernando High Principal Kenneth Pritz and former Hernando High principal Elaine Sullivan, now a facilitator of the Secondary Schools Redesign Initiative, all submitted their applications last week before Friday's deadline. This is at least the second time Jackson and Sullivan have vied for a position in the district — the last time being for the assistant superintendent spot last summer.

Jackson, who has a master's degree in education, stepped into the interim superintendent role following former superintendent Wayne Alexander's resignation in September. Before then, she became assistant superintendent of the district in July — before which she was executive director of school services. Other experience includes being a principal and dean of students.

Pritz, who has a doctorate in education, was also executive director of facility and support operations in Brooksville until last year when he took over the principal position. He writes that he welcomes the challenge to become the superintendent.

Sullivan, who has a doctorate in education, was principal of Hernando High School from 1986-2003 and now works for the curriculum redesign initiative to help address achievement gaps among other education and leadership projects. She unsuccessfully applied for the assistant superintendent position this past summer.

Of all the 28 candidates for superintendent, 11 have doctorate degrees and three are currently superintendents. The others have experience that includes being assistant superintendents, principals, assistant principals and one has a law degree.

Other than Hernando, applicants are also from Lee, Miami-Dade, Osceola and Pasco counties in Florida. The remaining 19 candidates are from out-of-state, including two from Kentucky, three from New York and others from Wisconsin, Washington, Massachusetts and California to name a few.

According to school documents from school district Attorney Paul Carland II, the superintendent search committee will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday, at the school board office to review and discuss the applicants and set goals for the Wednesday, Nov. 18 meeting. They will also elect officers and review the committee's tasks.

Committee members consist of Lisa Hammond, Walter Dry, Burton Harres Jr., Maricriss Dausch, Lori Drenth, Colin Davies, Mark Guttman, Joe Vitalo and Ray Pinder.

Reporter Jeff Schmucker can be reached at 352-544-5271 or jschmucker@hernandotoday.com.

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