The School Board of Indian River County has officially launched its search for a new superintendent, preparing for the departure of Dr. David Moore next spring. As the largest employer in the county—with over 1,800 instructional and support staff serving more than 14,000 students—the district faces the pivotal task of finding a leader capable of building upon a period of remarkable academic and organizational success in the Vero Beach area.
During his six-year tenure, Dr. Moore has left an indelible mark on local public education. Arriving just as the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the educational landscape, he successfully navigated unprecedented challenges while simultaneously rectifying the district’s finances. Under his stewardship, the district leaped from a mid-tier ranking of 38th in Florida all the way to fifth best in the state. For the past three years, the district has proudly maintained an A grade, with 23 of its 24 traditional public schools earning individual A ratings from the Florida Department of Education last year. This marks a staggering improvement from the period before his arrival when fewer than half of the local schools achieved A or B ratings.
Recognizing the monumental shoes to fill, the school board is turning to the Vero Beach community for guidance. A newly launched, six-question Community Survey invites students, families, district employees, and residents to share their perspectives. Participants are encouraged to identify the district’s current strengths and weaknesses, prioritize desired outcomes for the new superintendent’s first year, and highlight the professional qualities they believe are most essential for the role.
The school board seeks a leader who will understand the district’s people and established ways of work, sustain what is producing results, strengthen what can be improved, and guide thoughtful innovation in response to the changing needs of students and the community.
Dr. Moore has expressed his deep commitment to ensuring a seamless transition, emphasizing his continued focus on seeing every school in the district earn an A rating and striving to become the top public school district in Florida. He plans to work closely with his eventual successor to share institutional knowledge, foster community relationships, and ensure local students continue to thrive.
The application window for this critical leadership position is currently open, with all electronic submissions due by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 26. The official job listing outlines several stringent qualifications for prospective candidates:
- Education: A master’s degree or higher in education from an accredited institution is strictly required, though a doctoral degree is highly preferred.
- Certification: Applicants must hold a Florida Educational Leadership certification or an equivalent credential eligible for reciprocity within the state.
- Leadership Experience: Candidates must possess at least ten years of successful teaching and school administration experience, or a minimum of five years in district leadership overseeing broad instructional or organizational operations. Prior experience in a Florida public school district serving 7,500 or more students is preferred.
Community feedback collected from the survey will be presented to board members to help guide their review of candidate resumes. Following the application deadline, the board will host a public workshop on November 17 to determine which applicants will advance to the interview stage. Finalists will then tour local schools on December 13, followed by public and individual board interviews on December 14, where they will present their strategic 90-day plans. A final candidate will be selected during a special business meeting that same evening, signaling the beginning of a highly anticipated new chapter for Indian River County’s educational future.
