JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – New Duval County superintendent Dr. Patricia Willis, who was hired to be a temporary replacement after the departure of Dr. Nikolai Vitti, helped hand out diplomas to hundreds of Ribault High School graduates Thursday.
Willis, who was once the vice principal at Ribault High, told News4Jax after the graduation ceremony that she's feeling a lot of excitement right now and is happy to be back in Duval County.
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Willis' first day on the job was Monday, and she said there's a lot of work to be done.
She said she spent her first few days getting acclimated with the district, visiting schools to meet with staff and meeting with board and community members.
She said she wants to run the district with a steady hand until the permanent new superintendent is selected.
“We are at the end of the (school) year, but there are still lots of closings of schools (for the summer),” Willis said. “I want (the principals and schools) to feel the support they need, make sure our district staff is supporting them and then we'll just move from there.”
She said her first big task will be balancing the budget with the board. She also plans to continue visiting schools.
Willis also said she wants Gov. Rick Scott to veto a controversial bill that would encourage high-achieving charter schools to open in neighborhoods with under-performing schools.
In the meantime, she said she’s looking into support groups that can help continue to spread the word about the impact the bill would have on school districts.