South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Board member asks for Cartwright to hold position permanently
Vickie Cartwright, who was selected in July to serve as the interim superintendent for Broward County Public Schools, could be appointed as permanent superintendent during Tuesday’s school board meeting.
A request by School Board member Nora Rupert to make the change was added late Friday night to the agenda.
“In her short time with Broward County Public Schools, she has performed incredibly well under crazy, tense events,” Rupert told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “She does what is promised, and it is refreshing. We’ll see on Tuesday.”
When Cartwright was hired a provision prevented her, as interim superintendent, from applying to become permanent superintendent.
That provision wouldn’t be violated, according to Rupert’s request.
“Although the Employment Agreement states Dr. Cartwright would be ineligible to apply for the permanent position of Superintendent, there is nothing included within the Agreement that would preclude her from being appointed as the permanent Superintendent,” according to an executive summary detailing the request.
If approved, the School Board would authorize its chairwoman to negotiate a new contract with Cartwright.
Cartwright told the Sun Sentinel Saturday she would accept the position if offered.
“I’m very honored that board members are seeing my efforts, leadership and initial results through collaboration
with staff and community members and have the confidence in me to make a recommendation that I be appointed to the permanent position,” Cartwright said.
Cartwright replaced former superintendent Robert Runcie, who resigned in August after being arrested on a perjury charge.
Cartwright, who became superintendent in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in 2018, a school district with fewer than
10,000 students, served
17 years with the Orange County (Florida) school district, rising to associate superintendent.
Rupert has been impressed with many of Cartwright’s actions so far, citing her
emphasis on the district’s Emergency Communications and Family Reunification Plans.
“Dr. Cartwright worked with law enforcement, the Broward County’s Emergency Management Division, and other Stakeholders to expeditiously complete these plans and have them approved by the Board,” Rupert wrote.
Rupert also cited her work with the Broward Teacher’s Union to undertake a student reengagement drive that saw hundreds go doorto-door to offer assistance to families and students, and directing her staff to develop a comprehensive plan to provide support for students
and address student achievement shortcomings.
The proposal said Cartwright’s “collaborative leadership style” helped her earn trust and support.
“Her recent testimony in front of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission successfully communicated the strides BCPS (Broward County Public Schools) has made to improve the safety and security of our schools,” the proposal said.
The proposal said Cartwright’s appointment would “save tens of thousands of dollars associated with an external firm conducting a national search.”