ORANGE PARK – Superintendent David Broskie had a clear message for parents of students enrolled in Clay County District Schools Thursday: Your child is getting a first-class education.

Broskie delivered his fifth annual State of the Schools Address to more than 150 community leaders, business partners, and stakeholders at the Thrasher-Horne Center. He celebrated school district achievements and outlined a comprehensive roadmap for advancing district success by fostering strong educators and expanding student opportunities through school choice options.

Last December, the district learned the Florida Department of Education said Clay had the second-highest scores in social studies and the fourth-highest in science in Florida. It was the fourth time the FDE gave the district an “A” grade in five years. The county didn’t receive a grade in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Broskie said the district will continue to build on the successes.

“Our teachers are the cornerstone of our educational system,” Broskie affirmed. “By investing in their growth and professional development, we empower them to inspire and guide the next generation of leaders.”

To do that, Broskie emphasized the importance of cultivating strong teacher leadership programs. He shared that through a partnership with the University of North Florida, the district will commit to building a teacher and leadership pipeline through a $7 million grant during the next five years with a program titled Project PREP (Partnering to Renew the Educator Pipeline).

In a move to provide students with diverse pathways to success, Broskie underscored the importance of career and technical education (CTE) programs in preparing students for the ever-evolving demands of the workforce. Broskie focused on the school district’s goal of the “3 E’s” in preparing students to enroll, enlist, or become employed after graduation.

“Empowering students with the tools and resources to pursue their passions and interests is paramount to our mission,” Broskie declared. “Through robust CTE and school choice programs, we aim to equip our students with real-world skills and experiences to propel them toward rewarding careers and lifelong success.”

Clay’s CTE programs are highly recognized. Kelly Mosley, CTE Supervisor for the district, was asked in January to appear in front of the U.S. House Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee to share the district’s successes.

Other highlights included an overall grade point average of 3.37 for the county’s more than 5,700 athletes, 97 different fine arts course offerings with 29,177 participants 864 high school students in ROTC-related programs and more than 1,400 industry certifications.

Broskie also talked about the need for new schools. Tentative plans are to build two elementary and one high schools before 2032.

“We are an A-rated school district, and families are flocking to our county, drawn by the promise of exceptional educational opportunities and a nurturing learning environment,” Broskie said. “The construction of three new schools underscores our unwavering commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our community and ensuring that every student has access to a world-class public education.”