I am a product of Madison County Schools. I attended Madison County Public Schools for all of my K-12 education.
I was temporary appointed by a previous Board on May 1, 2019 and officially appointed by Governor DeSantis on October 2019 to complete the term of my predecessor. I was elected by popular vote in November 2020. During this tenure I have received my Superintendent Certification. In June of 2023, the Board and I became Master Board Certified.
I have served at most schools within the district in several capacities. I have served as a classroom teacher (Secondary Math), Instructional Coach, Assessment Coordinator as well as a principal.
I am dedicated to the people of Madison County and to the School District. I am willing to work with ALL people on ALL matters. I have an open-door policy and will listen to ALL stakeholders. My dedication lets me see things to completion. I welcome diversity and forward-thinking people. I have a proven record of handling tough situations and seeing them through to completion.
Examples:
• Began tenure with the district in a financial crisis. Since then, our fund balance has grown enough to maneuver the district through predicted impeding shortfalls.
• Lead the district through a nation-wide pandemic. COVID was addressed and we were able to continue educating our child and the school doors remained open for the ones who chose to attend with a viable plan in place for the students that chose to remain at home.
• Distance learning was embraced and expanded during COVID.
• Navigated our way through Hurricane Idalia. A major disaster which will have a price tag upwards of ten million dollars.
• A major gun violence threat against the district. Safety measures were in place to adequately address the situation. A healthy working relationship with law enforcement which lead us to not have to miss any school days.
• With thirteen months our district was ravaged with another Hurricane (Helene). We missed only five school days.
• We as a district and a community have been traumatized, but we are resilient.
Because I’ve been given an opportunity in life to serve as your superintendent. I don’t just want to take it for granted. I want to use this opportunity to give back to the MY community. I want to finish what WE have started.
Question 1. In light of recent events, what steps would you take to ensure the safety of students and staff within the schools?
Answer – The safety and protection of all students and staff are of the upmost importance to me as Superintendent of Schools in the Madison County District. Safety in recent months has become “the” focus word for all of the nation’s educational environments. We have school safeguards in place that focus on security policies and procedures. At every school in the district we conduct frequent active shooter drills with our students, faculty, and staff. In addition, we have continuous training during planning days for our faculty and staff on its implementation. The protocols in these emergency situations are strict. We continue encouragement of the use the FortifyFL Suspicious Reporting App and for students and staff to make School Resource officers and administrators aware of any threat verbally or online. Our campuses are monitored using school security camera systems and by school resource officers. We constantly communicate with parents and stakeholders through Bloomz, social media including Facebook, our phone notification system, and through the news media. We have school counselors available to help support these safe school policies. Our district has stepped up its school safety presence involving our all of our law enforcement partnerships because we value the well-being of all students.
Question 2. What strategies do you plan on implementing to attract and retain high-quality teachers who will stay long term?
Answer – As an advocate for employees and for equitable pay for everyone, it is important to develop a supportive environment, one that provides the resources needed for educators to be successful. As Superintendent, I believe I have done that. Attracting and retaining high-quality teachers also means that the compensation and benefits are competitive. For example, when I took office, beginning teacher salary was $33,857. With my recommendations to the Board, beginning salary has been increased by more than 25 percent to $45,000. My promise is to raise the salary for beginning teachers to $47,500 for the 2025-2026 school year and then address compression issues for tenured staff. Despite of moving away from the ‘step’ raise system for union employees in 2021, the district has operated in good faith and each year the district has raised the amount of money an employee received as an annual adjustment to their salary by over 25 percent more than the original ‘step’ system allowed. Over the past three years, annual adjustments have continued to go up every year with none of them falling below the year before.
We have recently partnered with FAMU to participate in their Apprenticeship program for aspiring teachers. This takes our paraprofessionals with two-years of college and assist them with completing their degree. In essence helping us to “grow our own.”Bloomz, social media including Facebook, our phone notification system, and through the news media. We have school counselors available to help support these safe school policies. Our district has stepped up its school safety presence involving our all of our law enforcement partnerships because we value the well-being of all students.
Question 3. What will you do differently to improve unity and morale among board members, teachers, staff and students, especially in light of the upcoming consolidation?
Answer – The unity and morale among board members, teachers, staff, and students are important to maintaining a fully-operational district. The three closing facilities each have less than 175 students with one having around 90 students enrolled. Consolidation of the three outlying community schools, Greenville Elementary, Lee Elementary, and Pinetta Elementary, to Madison County Central School (MCCS) was a difficult and emotional decision. Impacted communities were allowed to express concerns about the district’s new direction. I understand the tremendous attachment to these communities. However, savings from the reduction in operational expenditures will better position the district to offer all students more resources, provide all classrooms with certified and qualified teachers, more educational options and services to students, and will lead to a quality well-rounded education. Continued conversations, retreats, planning meetings, workshops, and board trainings will work to mend divisions and strengthen morale and improve unity.
Political Advertisement paid for and approved by Shirley Joseph, Democratic Candidate, for Superintendent of Schools for Madison County.