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Superintendent
Joseph Burke, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Lee County School District
Lee County Public Education Center
2855 Colonial Blvd.
Fort Myers, FL 33966

Martha Crotty
Coordinator, District Operations
(239) 337-8306

Sonia Maldonado
Executive Secretary
(239) 337-8302

Sherry Pearsall
Executive Secretary
(239) 337-8300

Office Fax: (239) 337-8378 and (239) 335-1406


Joseph Burke, Ed.D.

Watch the Superintendent take the Oath of Office

The opportunity to serve as Superintendent of Lee County Public Schools is an exciting, once in a lifetime prospect. The Lee County Schools have become established leaders in the state and the nation in meeting high standards for students and staff. I would hope to capitalize on the established foundations and move the district to the next level of excellence in serving the diverse needs of the Lee County communities.


Education:

  • ED.D Educational Leadership, Nova University, January 1992
  • M.S. Educational Administration, Florida International University, June 1976
  • B.A. Philosophy/History, College of the Holy Cross, June 1973

 

Publications:

  • Doctoral Practicum "Reducing the Number of At-Risk Students in Region V Secondary Schools, Dade County, Florida"
  • Doctoral Practicum "Improving Mathematics Performance of Eighth Grade Students At Thomas Jefferson Middle School, Dade County, Florida"



Employment History:

August 2009 - July 2011 Superintendent - Monroe County School District
Appointed by Governor of Florida in August, 2009.

Significant Achievements:

  • Established a system of accountability (including performance-based evaluation;
  • Aligned the organization to build capacity for emphasis on student learning and system accountability.
  • Implemented teaching and learning strategies which improved student achievement in critical areas such as:
    1. Increased college readiness;
    2. Decreased achievement gap, especially for Hispanic students;
    3. Increased graduation rate;
    4. Increased advanced placement enrollment (35%);
    5. Improved school grades.
  • Collaborated with all sectors of the community to improve transparency and communication, reestablish public confidence, and develop support for school and district initiatives.
  • Secured $36 million in ARRA capital funds to build a new K-8 school facility at a net negative interest rate.
  • Improved district funding through procurement of national and state grants such as:
    1. One of first eleven districts in Florida to receive full approval and funding of Race to the Top grant;
    2. Only small district in Florida to secure a Teaching American History grant from USDOE;
    3. Successful 13 grant from USDOE for Monroe County, Highlands County and Broward County to enhance Take Stock in Children activities.
August 27, 2008 - August 22, 2009 Region Executive Director, Florida Department of Education, Region 3

Major Responsibilities:

  • Implementation of Florida's Differentiated Accountability Model; Review and approval of School Improvement Plans for lowest performing schools; Technical assistance and institutional support for 10 school districts in Central Florida
June 4, 2001 - June 30, 2008 Superintendent of Schools, Springfield, MA

Several major accomplishments are significant to cite as part of the Culture of Achievement theme of this superintendency:

  • Successful negotiation of innovative performance-based contract with teachers and administrators.
  • Steadily improving scores on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) tests;
  • Specific improvements in achievement of African American and Latino students;
  • Development and implementation of systemic curriculum initiatives: Reading Plan, Mathematics and Science Plan, English Language Learners Plan, Pupil Progression Plan, and Comprehensive Guidance Plan;
  • Acquisition of the competitive Wallace Foundation L.E.A.D grant, and documented progress on leadership development benchmarks;
  • Development and implementation of a citywide "campaign for proficiency" with broad-based stakeholder engagement and significant private and foundation funding (Step Up Springfield).
July 1997 - June 1, 2001 Administrative Director, Division of Mathematics and Science, Dade County Public Schools
  • Major responsibilities - development of district-wide policies and curriculum in mathematics and science; Professional development related to Math and Science education; Implementation of NSF-funded Urban Systemic Initiative.
July, 1996 - July, 1997 Region Director, Personnel and Labor Relations, Region V, Dade County Public Schools
  • Major responsibilities - Personnel procedures/practices and contract management for 58 schools (secondary and elementary), approximately 62,000 students. Line supervisor for 25 schools (secondary and elementary) Killian Feeder Pattern/Palmetto Feeder Pattern
November, 1993 - July, 1996 Region Director, Personnel and Labor Relations, Region II, Dade County Public Schools
  • Major responsibilities - Personnel procedures/practices and contract management for 38 schools (secondary and elementary), approximately 47,000 students. Line supervisor for 19 schools (secondary and elementary) Norland Feeder Pattern/Miami Beach Feeder Pattern

Professional Activities:

2009 - Present Monroe County Education Foundation - Board of Directors
2009 - Present United Way of Monroe County - Advisory Council
2009 - Present Leadership Policy Advisory Council on Assessment and Accountability - appointed by Education Commissioner
2009 - Present Committee Member - American Cancer Society Annual Gala
2004-2008 Board of Directors, United Way of Pioneer Valley - Audit Committee
2002-2008 Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government, Public Leadership Series
2002-2008 Board of Directors, Jr. Achievement of Western MA
2003-2008 Advisory Board - Mass Business Alliance for Education
2002-2008 Board of Directors, National Conference for Community and Justice of Western MA
2002-2008 Board of Directors, Regional Employment Board of Western Mass.
2001-2005 Executive Committee, USP Superintendent's Coalition
1993-2000 Adjunct Professor - Nova/Southeastern University, Masters Degree Program
Courses taught:
  • Organization and Management of Schools
  • School Budgeting and Finance
  • School Leadership

Awards:

2006 President's Award, Massachusetts Assn of School Superintendents (For Outstanding Contribution to Public Education)
April 14, 2004 Distinguished Academic Outreach Award - University of Massachusetts