By Anita Todd
** We apologize, but we errored on our original reporting of the role of Alricky Smith. We inadvertently called him a Deputy Superintendent. His actual role according to the charter school site is Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance
LAKE WALES – During a special meeting held today (June 5), the Lake Wales Charter School Board of Trustees unanimously selected Julie Conrad-Peters as the district’s next Superintendent.
Conrad-Peters, currently the Assistant Superintendent of Operations for the Oshkosh Area School District in Wisconsin, was chosen from a field of 20 applicants and was one of three finalists. The other two candidates were Lee Bush and Kathryn Shuler.
In addition to her current role, Conrad-Peters has held a variety of leadership positions throughout her career, including Director of Curriculum and Assessment, middle school principal, high school assistant principal, Science Department Chair for grades 6–12, and high school chemistry and physical science teacher. She has also served as Curriculum Support and Site Coordinator for Restructuring and completed the Superintendent Licensure Certification Program in Wisconsin.
Conrad-Peters describes her leadership philosophy as relationship-centered and rooted in the belief that “growth for all” should be the foundational goal of any educational organization. She brings with her a proven record of building and maintaining meaningful partnerships.
The Board emphasized that the decision was not an easy one, noting that all three finalists were highly qualified and capable of fulfilling the role successfully.
The next step in the process is for Conrad-Peters to complete the required background checks. Once those are finalized, contract negotiations will begin to determine her official start date and salary. The Board will reconvene to give final approval.
Alricky Smith, who has served as Acting Superintendent, will return to his role as Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance. The Superintendent position became vacant following the Board’s June 7, 2024, decision to terminate former Superintendent Wayne Rodolfich with cause. Rodolfich had served in the role since 2022.
