CLAY COUNTY – The final months of school are rife with the rush to finish testing, complete district goals and gently push students toward their next chapter.

The 2021-2022 school year saw a frantic May that had ground-breakings and graduations. Superintendent David Broskie reflected on a busy year, of which the last day is Friday.

The 2021-2022 school year had unique challenges, Broskie said, as the state of Florida was hit heavily throughout the school year with COVID-19.

“The hard work, dedication and commitment from the teachers, leaders, district staff, support staff, students and parents have not gone unnoticed in regard to the success of our school system these past few years,” he said.

District board members approved a continuation of a 1 mill rate increase meant for school security. They choose Spring Park Elementary as the name for its newest school, off of County Road 315.

According to state data, the district maintained its Top 10 in a COVID-stricken 2020-2021 school year. Prominent education resource website Niche ranked the Clay County School District as the fourth-best district in the state. Broskie said the district would continue to push academic options for students like Career and Technical Education.

“Every senior high school offers an accelerated pathway for college readiness or a Career and Technical pathway that has an industry certification,” Broskie said. “Our newest program is a partnership with Garber Automall and Middleburg High School, which will now host an academy with a direct career pathway for students in automotive repair.”

However, there were challenges. The most visible was and still is hiring teachers and support personnel like bus drivers. The supply chain crisis also impacted the district, with the district exploring options in terms of buying buses.

According to the district, 100 of its 240 buses were recently replaced as part of a fleet modernization plan. It reduced the repairs needed and the demand for parts. The organization also increased its number of critical items such as oil and fuel filters, brake drums, brake shoes and tires.

“The Clay County District Schools Transportation Department has been working to monitor supply chain issues to be as proactive as possible. We are actively reviewing proposals regarding the purchase of school buses configured for Exceptional Student Education transportation,” the district said in a statement.

“These buses, if approved, would be used to replace a number of older buses with a specific engine model that we have found to have limited parts availability.”

But potential change is on the horizon. The county continues to grow, and with it, the district. Three school board members face re-election in Districts 1, 3 and 5 by November. The millage continuation also faces a vote from taxpayers.

Broskie said the past few years with COVID-19 have been tough. He was elected to the district’s highest position in November 2020 after spending about nine months as interim superintendent, but the former teacher and principal refered to himself as a 30-year employee of the district.

“I continue to be excited about the future of Clay County District Schools as we build our 43rd school next year, and I look forward to a traditional start to the 2022-2023 school year,” he said.