published: Friday, October 12, 2012

Fleck is proven instructional leader

Editor:

The education of our children is one of the most important responsibilities we have as a community. We must successfully prepare students for post-secondary education and careers, so they will become productive, contributing members of our society. For this reason, the selection of the most qualified candidate for superintendent of schools is crucial to ensuring the success of our educational system in Highlands County.

As a former school board member of 20 years, I have had the pleasure of working with a number of successful instructional leaders. To serve as an instructional leader (i.e., assistant principal, principal, curriculum director or assistant superintendent of curriculum), one must meet the minimum qualifications of attaining a master's degree with certification in educational leadership and having years of teaching experience. Instructional leaders receive training in curriculum, instruction, finance, school law and personnel management, which prepares them to serve as effective leaders of schools and districts.

The effective superintendent embraces his or her function as the primary instructional leader for the district (DiPaola & Stronge, 2003; Waters & Marzano, 2007).

There is only one candidate who meets these criteria for being an effective superintendent - Rebecca "Becky" Fleck. She has the advanced degrees, the training in educational leadership and 30 years of experience as an award-winning teacher, principal, district administrator and assistant superintendent.

We need a proven instructional leader at the helm of this school district. I urge you to vote for Rebecca "Becky" Fleck for superintendent of schools.

Margaret Turnbull

Avon Park