County schools superintendent will not run for elected post
While two candidates have filed paperwork to run for the newly-created elected superintendent seat, current School District of Lee County Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier announced on Oct. 5 that he will not seek the post to be decided in 2024.
As of this week, Denise Carlin and Morgan Wright — both Republicans and educators — had filed, according to the Lee County Elections Office website.
Lee County voters approved the change from appointive to elected office via a referendum in November of 2022.
The measure, which was placed on the ballot by the state Legislature and was opposed by the Lee County School Board, passed with 62.15% of the voters in favor, making the superintendent’s post another elected constitutional office in the county as of the 2024 General Election.
The existing system of having the superintendent appointed by the board had been approved by Lee voters in 1974.
The elected superintendent will serve a four-year term.
“After extensive contemplation and reflection, I have chosen not to pursue the upcoming elected position of superintendent of schools,” Bernier wrote in an email to the district’s community. “I want to assure you that this decision was not made lightly; it demanded careful consideration. I want to underscore that my decision is founded on a profound respect for our school board and the dedicated students, families, teachers, and staff who collectively contribute to our thriving educational community.”
He went on to write that although he supports the community’s decision, which was based on the referendum vote, “becoming an elected superintendent was never my aspiration. Ultimately, this realization led me to determine that running for election was not a reasonable course of action for my educational journey.”
Bernier will remain the superintendent throughout his existing contract term.
According to his contract “should the outcome of the November 2022 Lee County election result in the approval of the ballot initiative to create an elected superintendent of schools position, the terms of this agreement will officially end upon the swearing in of the elected superintendent in November of 2024.”
“We must remain steadfast in our commitment to addressing the challenges that impact the future of the children we serve,” Bernier wrote. “Our communities’ commitment to our students and educational mission continues to inspire us. I have the utmost confidence that together, we can continue to lead our school district toward our stated vision of being a world-class school system.”