Lee County voters have elected a new superintendent for the first time in 50 years, choosing between a retired educator and a local attorney.
Republican Denise Carlin won with 68 % of the vote against Democrat Victor Arias 32%, and will serve a four-year term. Dr. Ken Savage is currently the interim superintendent.
Carlin is a retired educator who taught for over three decades. Victor Arias is a local attorney who has worked with two superintendents for years.
In 2022, voters approved a referendum with more than 60% of the vote, changing the superintendent position to an elected one. Previously, the school board would interview candidates and ultimately choose the superintendent.
Lee County joins 38 other school districts in Florida that have an elected superintendent, reflecting a shift towards greater community involvement in educational leadership decisions.
Lee County is the 33rd largest school district in the nation, serving over 100,000 students and staff.
The district faces several challenges, including a growing student population and difficulty retaining teachers, with about 180 teacher vacancies currently.
In the past, a superintendent who stayed in the role for seven years helped build up the district, highlighting the importance of stable leadership. Lee County students currently lag in test scores, adding to the urgency of effective leadership.
Savage said having this new position could help bring stability to the district that hasn't been there for a long time.
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