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Palm Beach, Florida

February 16, 2012 by · Comments Off on Palm Beach, Florida 

Palm Beach, Florida, The Palm Beach County school district has a new top boss. Wayne Gent, who has served as the interim superintendent for the past few months, has been selected as the permanent superintendent of schools.

After discussing the matter for more than three hours, the school board voted to give the superintendent’s job to Wayne Gent.

The vote was unanimous. Moments later, Gent was congratulated by each of the board members and he also got a big hug from his wife.

“Well I’m very pleased, I’m ready to go to work. I want to thank the board for their confidence that they’ve shown in me. And I really want to thank those folks who came out to speak on my behalf,” said Gent.

Gent got the superintendent job over two other finalists, Constance Jones who is the chief academic officer of the Lee County School District and Janis Andrews, assistant superintendent of curriculum and learning support with the Palm Beach County School system.

“I believe that Mr. Gent will make an excellent superintendent and again, it’s all about the children,” said Frank Barbieri, school board chairman.

Prior to the board’s decision, some in the crowd felt that Gent, whose name was added to the group of finalists last week, needed to be checked out further and they urged the board to postpone their decision.

“Move it back a month! It’s more important to get it right than follow a process that was flawed. That’s the bottom line,” said one community member.

Some called the selection process tainted.

“It was a big, embarrassing farce,” said Dr. Joaquin Garcia, Hispanic Education Coalition

“It’s a shame the black eye right now that this board has with the community,” John Ramos, parent.

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