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Alachua County Superintendent Finalists To Answer Questions

The Einstein School
The Einstein School is one of the Alachua County's nine low-performing schools. A report by the Florida Department of Education shows a higher concentration of teachers teaching outside of their area of expertise in low-performing schools.

Members of the Alachua County community can meet the four finalists for Superintendent of Alachua County Public Schools. From May 5 to May 21, candidates will hold open houses to answer the public's questions.

The schedule is:


  • Mark Rendell:  May 5,  6 to 7:30 p.m. on the fourth floor of the Alachua County Public Library, 401 E. University Avenue. Rendell has held the position of deputy superintendent for St. Lucie County Public Schools since 2013. Rendell previously served as an assistant superintendent in the same district from 2012 to 2013.
  • Fred Heid: May 12,  6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Matheson Museum, 513 E.  University Avenue. Heid has served as the chief academic officer for Duval County Public Schools since 2012. He was bureau chief for Florida Department of Education's Bureau of School Improvement from 2010 to 2012.
  • Owen Roberts: May 14, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Matheson Museum. Roberts was superintendent of curriculum and accountability for St. Lucie County Public Schools from 2005 to 2012. He is currently senior vice president of innovation at Beanstalk Innovation, an education technology company.
  • James Browder: May 21, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Matheson Museum. Browder is the regional executive director for school improvement for the Florida Department of Education. He was a superintendent in Anchorage, Alaska for one year and superintendent in Lee County, Florida for seven and a half years.

For more information about the candidates and to view their applications for the position, visit the Alachua County Public Schools Superintendent applicant page.

Alyssa is a reporter for WUFT News and can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.