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

Sonia Maldonado
Executive Secretary
(239) 337-8300

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

Biography

James W. Browder, Ed.D.

Objectives

• Significantly influence the development and implementation of the best education possible for all students.
• Provide a rigorous curriculum to prepare students for continued education opportunities or the workplace.
• Develop community partnerships to enhance student opportunities for employment.
• Continuously evaluate and hold accountable District practices and personnel.
• Ensure that staff is well informed on current issues.

• Continue to do what is always best for students.

Education

I have been working in the field of education since 1970. I have a Doctorate Degree from the University of Sarasota (Argosy University), which I earned in 1991. The following represents a history of my educational background.

Experience

As Superintendent, I have the responsibility of administering the ninth-largest school district in Florida and the largest employer in Lee County. My educational experience includes:

Management Skills

For most of the 30+ years as an educator, I have been responsible for overseeing staff members in their daily duties. As a principal at three high schools to the Director of Secondary Schools for Lee County to the Dean of Instruction at Edison College, I have directly supervised staffs that consisted of several dozen employees to hundreds of employees. As Superintendent of Schools, there are 11,500+ employees under my direction.

The following are a few specific examples of personnel management:

• Established employee processes in developing procedures in all job areas.

• Facilitated numerous committees for the implementation of software projects.

• Developed improvement plans for employees to assure success in their roles inside the School District.

• Aligned performance appraisal processes with STAR and MAP.

• Implemented Sterling Quality District-wide.

• Worked with appropriate staff to develop training materials for certificated and support staff.

Fiscal Responsibility

The District’s budget for FY08 is $1.66 billion. It is vital that we follow-up and stay on top of all expenditures to ensure fiscal responsibility. Reports and updates on programs and expenditures across the board are requested on a regular basis, all with the goal to ensure every dollar is spent appropriately and in the best interest of students.

The following are a few specific examples of my fiscal experiences and sound financial planning:

• Received the OPPAGA award for “best financial management practices.”

• Received the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) Certificate for Excellence in Financial Reporting Award for excellence in the preparation and reporting of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006.

• Received the Government Finance Officers Association’s (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its FY07 Budget Book.

• Received the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) Meritorious Budget Award for excellence in the preparation and issuance of the 2006-07 school system annual budget.

• Developed the District process for budget development to assure Districtwide understanding of the process and fiscal transparency for the community.

• Encourage stakeholder participation in the development of the budget to assure fiscal responsibility.

• Established procedures for selection of professional services (contractor, architect, etc.) to assure that the District receives the best rates possible for construction and other professional services.

• Developed prototype schools to minimize the cost per square foot for new school construction.

• Developed numerous department manuals to assure consistency of District procedures.

Leadership and Administrative Abilities

During my career, I have been very fortunate to be allowed numerous opportunities to take leadership positions within the Lee County School District. Inside of those positions, I have grown both professionally and personally.

As Superintendent, I have been involved in the following Division projects:

Human Resources and Employees Relations

• Online application process

• Teacher recruitment and retention programs

• Teacher Insight – Research-based on-line interview process

• Affordable housing for employees

• No Child Left Behind (NCLB)

• Interest-based bargaining

• Districtwide fingerprinting project (Jessica Lunsford Act)

• Wellness Initiative

• STAR and MAP programs

Academic Services

• Academic Plan K-12

• Districtwide Accreditation for SACS

• Received an "A" Grade as a District from the Florida DOE

• High School Majors

• Implementation of Comprehensive High Schools & Career Academies

• Standardization of curriculum, textbooks and technology

• Reading Program K-12

• Implemented class-size reduction

Administrative Services

• Standardized building construction and equipment purchases

• Implemented Sterling Quality and continuous improvement

• Developed and implemented a new School Choice Plan

• Revised Districtwide Transportation Plan to better utilize bus capacity

Business Services

• New administrative software project

• Instructional Technology Planning

• Inventory tracking system

• Land banking for future construction

• Rebuilt capital plan

• Updated all school networks

• New healthy choices/profit sharing program

• Districtwide P-Card program

• KRONOS interface systems with Transportation

• OPPAGA award for best financial management practices

• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting

I would never want to leave the impression that these accomplishments are the result of one person. Without the dedicated Division Leaders, administrators and support employees inside these four areas, these projects would never have been completed in a positive fashion. To that end, I believe that my ability to be successful is in large measure a result of the dedicated and hardworking staff which now resides within our organization.

Management Services

As Superintendent, I have had the extreme honor of working with multiple Boards in the last 25 years. That experience has allowed me to develop a collaborative approach to working with an elected or appointed Board. Agenda development, Board preparation and consultation are a way of life for me at this point.

Also as Superintendent, I worked with the School Board to develop a strategic plan for the District. That planning has been open to all stakeholders inside the organization and is transparent in order to assure that the best thinking of the organization is brought forward. The School District currently has a five-year strategic plan that is updated and approved annually; and each quarter, information is shared with the School Board as it relates to the progress that has been made during that three month period.

Professional Organizations

• Florida Association of District School Superintendents

• National Association of Secondary School Principals

• Florida Association of School Administrators

• Large City School Superintendents

• Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Board of Directors

• Board of Director for the Horizon Council (Economic Development Council

• Workforce Development Board of Directors

• FHSAA Board of Directors

• Junior Achievement Board of Directors

• Chair of the local High School Principals Association

I am honored to serve as Superintendent of the Lee County School District If at any time you have any questions and concerns, please feel free to call me at (239) 337 8301.