By ALICIA LEONARD
South Walton, FLA – Even though the Walton County School Board met for their regularly scheduled meeting Nov. 15, 2016 in the media room at South Walton High School, most attendees could feel a little something different in the air – almost a lightness or brevity from soon to be former superintendent of Schools Carlene Anderson and board member Mark Davis, this being the last regular board meeting either will attend in these positions. Reorganization of the board will be taking place Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 22, 2016, about the same time the Herald/Breeze starts to roll off the press.
The board did handle their usual business, but with no guest to introduce or public comments they breezed through it, approving the agenda, the approval of past minutes, and consent agenda items. Under the action agenda, the board approved contracts between the district and COPE for the 2016-2017 school year, as well as approve executive financial summaries and personnel recommendations 5-0.
Both Anderson and Davis were gifted at the end of the meeting with a collage of the facilities and schools they had both help come to fruition during their time with the district.
Brad Innes, AIA president/principal of EMI Elliot, Marshal, Innes, presented both with a framed piece of art work of past and ongoing projects.
Before wrapping up the meeting, the board surprised Anderson with a commemorative vase with appreciation and celebrating her 41 years of distinguished service to the district.
The district web site cited this biography for her last meeting.
“Carlene Anderson is Superintendent of Schools in the Walton County School District. Her educational career spans 41 years in Walton County beginning as a teacher aide and continuing as a paraprofessional, teacher, assistant principal, principal and now in her tenth year as Superintendent of Schools. Her certifications include Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, Middle School Math Education, School Principal, and Florida Association of District Schools Superintendent’s certification. Her educational background includes an Associate of Arts from the University of Southern Mississippi, a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education and Masters of Educational Leadership all from the University of West Florida. While serving as a principal in Walton County, she was awarded the Commissioner of Education’s Region I Principal Achievement Award for outstanding Educational Leadership. She currently serves on the Panhandle Area Education Board of Directors, Florida School Labor Relations Committee, the Florida Association of District School Superintendents Board of Directors, and the Commissioner of Education’s Leadership Policy Advisory Committee. Under her leadership, Walton County achieved seven consecutive years of High Performing School District status.
In her third elected term of office, Superintendent Anderson truly understands and embraces the small district environment and the unique qualities and challenges they face.
“Walton County School District thanks you, Mrs. Anderson, for your years of dedicated service to our students, parents, faculty and staff.”
To see more about the district and district news, go to www.walton.k12.fl.us/