The School Board of Broward County has selected Robert Runcie as superintendent of the sixth largest school district in the country.  Following final interviews this morning of the two finalists, Runcie and Dr. Bernard Taylor, Jr., Superintendent, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Grand Rapids, Michigan, the Board members held a final discussion and cast their votes. A motion to make the vote for Runcie unanimous was then approved.

Runcie currently serves as Chief of Staff to the Board of Education, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago, Illinois, the third largest school district in the nation, with 410,000 students.   He holds both a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Harvard College and Master of Management degree from Northwestern University.  He is also a Broad Fellow, having completed an education executive training program presented by the prestigious Broad Superintendents Academy.

In addition to serving the Chicago Public Schools as Chief of Staff, Runcie has also served as Chief Instructional Officer, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Information Officer.   Prior to joining Chicago Public Schools, he served as a senior consultant for a computer science corporation.

From an applicant pool of 47, the Board selected six semi-finalists to be interviewed.  That field was then narrowed to Runcie and Taylor. Prior to their final interviews, the finalists took part in one-on-one interviews with Board members, participated in a “Meet the Press” news conference, a “Meet and Greet” with community members and a Community Forum.

The School Board has authorized contract negotiations with Robert Runcie.  His start date as Broward’s new superintendent has yet to be determined.