Voters could make Lee County superintendent an elected position

 

Voters will have the chance to decide on Tuesday whether or not the Lee County superintendent should be an elected position.

The Lee County superintendent has been an appointed position since 1974, making it one of the 41 Florida public school districts, out of 67, in which superintendents are appointed. Still, House Bill 497, approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis, gives voters the chance to decide whether the superintendent should be elected instead.

WINK News had heard mixed opinions. One former teacher says she believes it should remain an appointed position because she trusts a committee to choose the best candidate for the job. Others say they believe it should be up to local voters to decide who becomes the head of Lee County’s public schools.

The current superintendent of Lee County public schools is Christopher Bernier, who was sworn in on May 16.

Parents and grandparents in Southwest Florida seem split.

“Elected,” said Beverly Wilcox.

“Elected,” said Charles Kreshok. “Because I think the people should have something to say.”

There’s so much concern over this becoming an elected position that a political action committee called Quality Schools for the Future of Lee County was formed. On its website, it says “support students, not politicians,” as some are worried that if the Lee superintendent position becomes an elected one, the most knowledgeable candidate may not necessarily be the one who wins.

“Definitely appointed,” said Chuck Thomas.

“I can’t imagine an election for superintendent, because the person who was handsomest and had the best stage presence would win,” said Nancy Thomas, a former teacher. “We need somebody who knows something about schools and teachers and is an administrator. I trust other people to make that decision, not the general public.”

In Southwest Florida, Charlotte and Collier counties both count among the Florida public school districts with appointed superintendents.