TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed David Broskie as the interim Clay County Superintendent of Schools on Monday. This appointment is effective March 2.
The governor acted quickly to replace Addison Davis, who resigned his position after being selected unanimously by the Hillsborough County School Board to be its next superintendent. Davis’ resignation is effect March 1.
Broskie, of Fleming Island, has been the assistant superintendent of the Clay County School District since 2015. He’s worked for the school district for 30 years and served as a principal from 2003 until 2015.
“I think there was a group of people who really wanted to see stability in the district, to continue the upward trend,” Broskie said. “There isn’t a capacity I haven’t been involved with in the last 30 years.
“At the same time, this is all brand new.”
He was recognized as Principal of the Year in 2010 by the Florida Department of Education. Broskie earned his bachelor’s degree in education from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania and his master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of North Florida.
Broskie will remain in office until the November general election.
Davis applauded DeSantis’ pick during Tuesday’s school board workshop.
“I’m really proud of the governor yesterday to make the right decision to put a qualified educator into the interim position,” Davis said. “David Broskie brings over 30 years of experience and he’s going to do a great job in the school district. He works tirelessly every single day on behalf of children so this is a win for the school district and the children in it.”
Davis submitted his resignation to the governor, saying:
“Over the last three years as Superintendent of Clay County District Schools, we have made monumental growth in the areas of student performance, climate and culture, safety and security, school choice programs, graduation rate, career and technical education, equity of curriculum offerings, school-based supports, technology accessibility, and fiscal responsibility (including our reserve balance and district credit rating).”
He also said working in Clay County “has been a great honor, and my decision to pursue the Superintendent of Hillsborough County Schools was not made lightly.”
Former superintendent Charlie Van Zant and teachers Aaron Smith and Melanie Walls have filed as candidates to replace Davis. As Republicans, all will face each other in an August primary.
Staff writer Wesley LeBlanc contributed to this story.