School District discusses interim superintendent

File Photo: Dr. Diane Gullett, the Superintendent of Marion County Public Schools, speaks during the Technical Working Group meeting at Marion Technical Institute on East Fort King Street in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

The Marion County School Board discussed next steps in replacing the current superintendent during a workshop on March 24, after Superintendent Diane Gullet tendered her resignation.

Gullet, who was the district’s first appointed superintendent, has served in the role since 2020. She will resign at the end of her term on July 11.

Chairperson Lori Conrad summarized the board’s consensus, which leaned towards allowing Gullett to complete her contract, while immediately opening applications for an interim superintendent to cover the role through February 2026, pending the board’s search for a permanent candidate.

Conrad and Board Member Sarah James both favored exploring the cost of dismissing the superintendent early from her contract and appointing an interim superintendent swiftly.

Both members also stated that, in speaking to internal and external stakeholders, they received overwhelming encouragement to seek a local candidate for the position.

“I have three names to suggest,” James offered to the board. However, Eric Cummings expressed concern and preempted James from announcing the names during the workshop, citing concerns about the fairness of the process.

The majority of the board felt that the haste was not necessary and expressed concerns about getting someone up to speed on all the work the board had already initiated.

According to a social media post by Bailey Education, Dr. Diane Gullett has been appointed as the Chief Academic Officer for the group, which operates in multiple states, including Florida. According to their website, the company partners with schools and districts for “customized professional development and teacher coaching.”

While some in the community have pegged Gullett as an outsider, she told the “Gazette” she plans to remain living in Marion County, Florida, for this next chapter in her career.

The district will resume the conversation during a meeting scheduled for April 3.