Superintendent Shane Andrew Fired: No Interim Named

Gainesville ‒ In a surprise decision Oct. 15, 2024, the Alachua County School Board voted to fire Superintendent Shane Andrew. The termination, which is effective Nov. 15, was spearheaded by Board member Kay Abbitt and passed narrowly in a 3-2 vote.

In a highly contentious special meeting held Oct. 21, the Board was set to select an interim superintendent to fill the vacancy left by Andrew’s departure. After considerable discussion and input from the community, the Board was unable to name a person to fill the position.

Several residents and parents spoke out and raised concerns that an interim would be selected just weeks before new Board members would take their seats.

During the meeting, Board members reflected on their previous vote. Sarah Rockwell and Tina Certain, who both voted against Andrew’s termination, expressed their dissatisfaction with the process. Rockwell stated that she felt blindsided by how quickly the vote occurred and was upset with how events transpired. Certain acknowledged that while Andrew was still learning on the job and had areas to improve, she did not believe termination was the right course of action at that time.

On the other hand, Leanetta McNealy and Kay Abbitt, who both voted for Andrew’s termination, stood by their decision. McNealy shared the challenges she faced in trying to recruit candidates for the interim position, noting that many declined due to the Board’s divided vote. She also dismissed the possibility of Andrew returning, citing personal reasons for his inability to resume the role.

Chairwoman Diyonne McGraw, who cast the decisive third vote to terminate Andrew’s contract, defended her position despite the criticism. Reflecting on her four-year term, which ends in November, McGraw stated, “I don’t like the fact that people insinuate that I did something wrong,” expressing frustration with the backlash she has received.

Board members inquired Oct. 21 if Deputy Superintendent Cathy Atria would consider stepping in as interim superintendent. Atria appeared reluctant, said she would consider it, but needed to consult with legal counsel before committing.

Andrew, the seventh superintendent in 10 years, leaves behind a district still grappling with financial challenges and ongoing tensions over leadership decisions. The next meeting will likely focus on selecting an interim leader while the Board prepares for a national search to find a permanent replacement.

Andrew’s termination came during a meeting meant to review Board members' evaluations of Andrew’s performance. Abbitt, who rated Andrew’s overall performance as “Needs Improvement,” made the unexpected motion to terminate his contract, citing the evaluations as evidence for the need for “new leadership.” Board members were divided, with some calling for change and others defending Andrew’s performance.

The Board's evaluations of Andrew varied significantly, with ratings spanning from “Effective” to “Unsatisfactory.” Chairwoman McGraw and member McNealy rated him as “Effective,” while Abbitt and Rockwell assessed his performance as “Needs Improvement.” Certain delivered the lowest rating, deeming Andrew's performance “Unsatisfactory.”

A notable point of contention arose when Rockwell criticized the absence of Andrew's self-evaluation from the process, which McGraw clarified was not required by policy. However, Rockwell and Certain expressed concerns that important priorities, such as rezoning and strategic planning, were not adequately addressed in Andrew’s evaluations.

After accepting the evaluations, Abbitt reiterated her belief that the district required new leadership. She proposed appointing an interim superintendent immediately and initiating a national search for a permanent replacement.

Board Member Certain, though agreeing with the need for new leadership, opposed appointing an interim superintendent, preferring instead to begin a direct search for a permanent replacement. McNealy, while expressing concerns over the current direction of the district, supported Abbitt’s motion for immediate action, noting that she did not see the district moving forward with Andrew based on the divided Board.

Chairwoman McGraw strongly defended Andrew, pointing to data that she said showed improvements in closing the achievement gap between African American and white students under his leadership. McGraw acknowledged the frustrations of the Board but urged members to focus on the students, citing to positive data and things moving in a positive direction. While academic progress was being made, McGraw said she was disappointed that personal disagreements were influencing Board decisions.

Despite McGraw’s defense, Abbitt’s motion moved forward, and after public comments, the Board voted 3-2 to terminate Andrew’s contract. McGraw ultimately cast the decisive vote to remove Andrew, despite her earlier defense.

Despite a lengthy discussion about potential candidates, the Board was unable to reach a decision during the Oct. 21 meeting, which ended without an appointment, leaving the leadership of the school district uncertain until the Board reconvenes on Nov. 4.

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