Superintendent

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

Terry Wood, Executive Secretary
Phone: (239) 337-8301

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:
  • Increased college readiness;
  • Decreased achievement gap, especially for Hispanic students;
  • Increased graduation rate;
  • Increased advanced placement enrollment (35%);
  • 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:
  • One of first eleven districts in Florida to receive full approval and funding of Race to the Top grant;
  • Only small district in Florida to secure a Teaching American History grant from USDOE;
  • 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