By Anita Todd
LAKE WALES – The Lake Wales Charter Schools (LWCS) Board of Trustees held a special meeting today (May 14) to select the final five candidates for the system’s open superintendent position.
During the work session held prior to the meeting, each trustee identified their top five candidates and shared brief remarks about why those individuals stood out.
The superintendent position attracted 20 applicants. A search committee reviewed all submissions and advanced only those who met the minimum qualifications. Of the 20 applicants, 14 met the criteria, but only 10 were forwarded in accordance with hiring process guidelines.
Those 10 candidates were invited to submit an introductory video explaining their interest in the role. Six complied. From those six videos, the board selected the final five candidates.
In the formal meeting that followed the work session, trustees voted to determine which five applicants would move forward. Candidates were identified by number only—not by name. Following the meeting, the Daily Ridge contacted LWCS for the names of the finalists.
During deliberations, all eight trustees unanimously selected candidates identified as numbers 11 and 9. Seven trustees also chose candidates 10 and 18, while six selected number 6.
Though names were initially withheld, comments from trustees offered insight into the finalists’ qualifications:
Candidate 11, a clear favorite, is a Florida educator (not from the local area) with 35 years of experience. Their résumé includes roles as principal and assistant superintendent, and a notable achievement: raising an “F” school to an “A” rating within one year.
“Number 11 jumped out. She was charismatic. Of all the videos, this one struck me the most,” said Trustee Mike Flood.
Trustee Tonya Stewart agreed:
“Number 11 set the standard for the videos.”
Candidate 9 also earned unanimous support. Comments highlighted their prior superintendent experience, strong background in business and finance, emphasis on servant leadership, and notable classroom experience, along with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.
The five finalists will be invited to tour the LWCS system, have lunch with the board, and participate in interviews. The board hopes to schedule these meetings for the last week of May.
The next LWCS Board of Trustees work session will be held Monday, May 19, at 4 p.m. at Lake Wales High School, followed by the regular board meeting at 5:30 p.m.
