Broward County School Board members gave superintendent time to provide a progress report

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Members of the Broward County School Board have given the superintendent another opportunity to prove herself, and she will be required to provide a 90-day progress report.

On Tuesday, Superintendent Vickie Cartwright gave a report on her work after receiving criticism from the new president of the school board, Torey Alston. Alston was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis.

“I think she’s a great leader. I just don’t think she’s the right leader for Broward County,” said Daniel Foganholi, another DeSantis’s appointee.

Cartwright received sufficient support to retain her position.

“The superintendent for me is in the right place at the right time,” said Nora Rupert, an elected school board member.

Debra Hixon, who is on the school board and is the wife of Christopher Hixon, who was killed trying to stop the Parkland school shooter, said that Cartwright had only been in the job since February.

“The superintendent has done what she can in the short time she has been here,” Hixon said.

Except for Alston, all of DeSantis’ appointments will be replaced by elected school board members after the November election. Candidate Rod Velez hopes to join the school board.

“I think she’s doing a decent job,” Velez said.

Another contender, Steven Julian, said that he wanted Cartwright to remain.

“The decision not to remove her I believe was absolutely the right decision,” Julian said adding, “Broward County deserves to have their voice heard.”

Marie Murray Martin, who was also running, was against changing Cartwright’s original contract so that she could look for a permanent job.

“Once Cartwright was hired, as one would expect for any employee, she should be treated with fairness, respect and be given due process,” Murray Martin said.