FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA — On Thursday, the Broward County School Board – the nation’s sixth-largest school district – named Peter Licata, a Palm Beach County school administrator, as superintendent.
The district, headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, has suffered the past few years from declining enrollment due to woke policies and pandemic-related decisions, causing students to fall behind academically. But the 7-2 vote by the board begins contract negotiations for the “transformational leader” the district says it needs.
“I believe he is the transformational leader that we were seeking for Broward County Public Schools,” school board chair Lori Alhadeff told reporters. “I believe through his words and actions that he will take us to become an A school district.”
The board said they hope the vote will end the board’s recent chaotic past. Last November, the board fired its previous superintendent, Vickie Cartwright, in a hasty move. The board repealed the decision in December after new board members were elected.
But ultimately, the new board fired her again in January after complaints from local parents and residents.
School board vice chair Debra Hixon said Licata would bring extensive experience and knowledge of South Florida to address the district’s critical educational issues.
“This is a dream job,” said Licata. “I’m coming home.” Licata attended school in Broward County as a child.
