News Cast for May 6th:
The Okeechobee County School Board has named the four semi-finalists for the position of school superintendent.
The list includes Superintendent of Schools in Frankfurt, Kentucky David Raleigh, Director of Teaching and Learning at Flagler County Schools Jeff Reaves, Campus President at Indian River State College Russ Brown and current interim superintendent in Okeechobee Dylan Tedders.
School Board chair Malissa Morgan said they have had enough time to review the 12 applicants.
She said the resumes are very inclusive including information on their education, past employment, achievements, and experience. She said they have sent a form with five questions to each semi-finalist that will be responded to by the semifinalists by video. Once they review the video the board will decide on whom to interview.
Morgan said she didn’t consider the size of the district they work for or the state the candidate works in.
“I don’t believe so. It was more about the presentation of the individual applicants and their current experience. Big or small, it is still how will you fit within our district and you don’t really know that until you sit down face to face and have the interviews.”
Vice Chair Jill Holcomb raised a concern about a recent change in title for Mr. Brown from Campus President at the Dixon Hendry Campus to Regional Director for IRSC.
“Why was the correct title not given. Why were we told about a different title. The title change was done on Feb. 8 at this institution. It was an official email from the college president. So, this is misleading what the applicant submitted. I just have a problem with that.”
The finalists will be selected May 14th and invited to interviews on May 21 and 22nd in Okeechobee.
A public meet and greet of the candidates was also in the works.
This is national nurses week from May 6-12.
Okeechobee County Commissioners along with the Florida Nurses Association both honored the nursing staff at HCA Raulerson Hospital.
Several nurses with over 300 years experience combined, were in attendance to accept the proclamation.
Maritess Quinto said the nurses at our hospital are very dedicated to patients and treat them like family.
A wild fire in western St. Lucie County, the Longbay fire continued to burn into Sunday night.
It is located off state road 70 at Bluefield Road.
Smoke from the fire impacted all of Okeechobee and some other counties on Sunday.
The St. Lucie Fire District said the fire grew to 250 acres.
The Florida Forest Service and St. Lucie County Fire Rescue were containing the blaze.
The wild fire is now 80% contained, according to the Florida Forest Service Okeechobee District.