Marion County Superintendent Earns Statewide Leadership Award

Marion County School District, Diane Gullett accepts award from the Publisher of the Pineapple Report. [supplied]

Dr. Diane Gullett, Superintendent of Marion County Public Schools, has been named the statewide winner of the PineApple Award for Leadership Excellence in Education.

The award was presented by Rick Rodriguez Pina, Publisher of the PineApple Report, during a ceremony held at the Florida School Boards Association / Florida Association of District School Superintendents Annual Summer Conference in Tampa Bay.

Gullett, the district’s first appointed superintendent, was recognized for her leadership in promoting academic achievement, school safety, community/family engagement, fiscal management, innovation, and corporate partnership. Under her leadership, all elementary schools in Marion County now offer Pre-Kindergarten programs, which have resulted in higher scores for students in the district’s youngest learners.

Gullett has also made significant contributions to the growth of Marion Technical College, including securing over $5.5 million in Florida Legislature appropriations to expand programs at the college. She was also instrumental in creating the district’s first equine studies program at North Marion High School.

In addition, Gullett has expanded magnet program options for students, families, and educators, established a scholarship program to help employees earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, and expanded a program to support families, known as Family FOCUS.

The PineApple Award is the second year the the Pineapple Report has presented the Excellence in Education awards. The digital site reports on school districts across the state of Florida.

Learn more about the award and who else was recognized by visiting pineapplereport.com/excellence-in-education-award/.