The following in an announcement of intention to seek public office paid for by the candidate.
Dear Bradford County Residents,
My name is Will Hartley, and for the past four years, I have had the distinct privilege of serving as your Superintendent of Bradford County Schools. As I reflect on the progress we’ve made together, I am inspired by our shared resilience, commitment to excellence, and collective achievements. With great enthusiasm and a vision for continued growth, I am seeking your support for reelection to build upon the foundations we’ve set.
The past four years have brought unprecedented challenges, the most significant being the COVID-19 pandemic. It tested our district’s flexibility, resilience, and capacity to adapt rapidly. Together, we ensured that no student fell through the cracks. Our diligent efforts to track down students who did not return to school post-shutdown were crucial in maintaining educational continuity. We implemented safety measures, embraced remote learning technologies, and provided continuous support to our community, ensuring that education remained accessible to all. The consistency in our approach provided stability during uncertain times.
Facing significant financial distress was no small feat. We’ve worked tirelessly to address budgetary constraints. By focusing on hiring dedicated staff and implementing prudent fiscal policies, we have not only stabilized our finances but also brought the district to its best financial condition in over a decade. This financial turnaround is a testament to our community’s relentless efforts and our commitment to responsible governance. Consistently managing our finances with prudence has laid a solid foundation for future growth and improvements.
One of our proudest accomplishments is the marked improvement in student attendance, reflecting a positive trend in engagement and participation. Additionally, we successfully helped two schools exit the state’s turnaround status. These achievements have set a new precedent for academic excellence in our district. Consistently focusing on student engagement and school improvement has been key to driving these positive outcomes.
Recognizing the fundamental role that teachers play, we have focused on creating a supportive environment. I’m proud to report an 87% teacher retention rate for the upcoming school year—an indication that our teachers feel valued and invested in our community. Consistency in support and encouragement for our educators has resulted in a committed and stable teaching workforce. We are also committed to growing our own educators. We currently partner with two universities to support our noninstructional staff who wish to become teachers. We currently have 7 noninstructional staff members working towards their teaching degrees.
Our district’s academic progress is evident in this year’s state testing highlights. We saw increases in 13-18 subcategories for school grades, with several scores still above state averages even when experiencing slight drops. Notably:
– All three elementary schools are poised to earn B grades. Having 3 schools at this level is something that hasn’t been achieved since 2011.
– Four out of our five schools increased their proficiency in ELA and math, with Lawtey leading in math proficiency not only within our district but also above state averages.
– Districtwide, our proficiency in ELA, math, and science has improved from last year, and the total possible points earned for school grades have increased for the second consecutive year.
– We witnessed a rise in the number of Level 5 scores across the district, from 224 to 326.
– Our graduation rate has increased for the second straight year.
– Early literacy scores are up, underscoring our strong focus on foundational education and partnership with the University of Florida’s Literacy Institute.
These achievements are not just numbers; they are evidence of our consistent dedication and the hard work of our students, teachers, and families.
Our district isn’t just setting high standards academically; we are excelling in athletics, too. We celebrated two team state championships, a state runner-up, and multiple individual state champions. These achievements display our dedication to fostering well-rounded excellence in our students. The consistency in our athletic programs has allowed our students to shine, developing not only their skills but also their character.
Last November, we moved into the first new school in Bradford County in 27 years—a state-of-the-art facility that supports modern learning and offers our students the resources they deserve. This achievement underscores our commitment to consistently providing the best educational environment for our students.
Looking to the future we aim to continue growing our Cambridge program and expanding opportunities for high school students to qualify for the 100% Bright Futures Scholarship.
Increasing college and career readiness opportunities at Bradford High School remains a priority. This includes the development of a new Truck Driving School. This facility will allow the possibility of new programs like heavy equipment operation and commercial logging.
We are partnering with Santa Fe College to bring a registered nursing program to North Florida Technical College. We were recently awarded a $4 million grant that will enhance health care education in our region and allowing our LPN students an opportunity to bridge into registered nursing right here in Bradford County.
STEM opportunities will be enriched through our collaboration with Thermacell at Bradford High School, preparing students for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
We will continue implementing districtwide practices proven to lead to student success, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive. Our unwavering focus on these areas represents our commitment to maintaining a consistent path toward excellence.
In addressing the facilities needs at Bradford Middle School and Bradford High School, our ultimate goal is the construction of a new Junior-Senior High School. This ambitious project aims to provide a modern, unified environment for secondary education, aligning with our district’s long-term vision of excellence. Our consistent investment in the development and maintenance of our facilities ensures that our students learn in safe and conducive environments.
The journey of the past four years has been one of progress, resilience, and community spirit. I am deeply honored to have served as your Superintendent and am committed to continuing the work we’ve begun. Consistency has been, and will continue to be, our guiding principle—the cornerstone upon which we build our progress and future achievements.
With your support, we can achieve even greater heights for our school district and our children’s futures. Together, we have the power to drive Bradford County forward, creating new opportunities and endless success stories. Your vote will help us continue this transformative journey. Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to our shared vision for Bradford County Schools. Let’s keep building on the foundations we’ve set and ensure a consistent path toward student and community achievement.
For more information and to stay up to date on my campaign, please follow me on Facebook at Re-Elect Will Hartley, Superintendent of Schools.
Sincerely,
Will Hartley
Your Superintendent of Schools
