Pons' next move? Speculation of a possible run for superintendent addressed
Jackie Pons, turnaround principal of Jefferson County K-12 School and former longtime superintendent of Leon County Schools, says he is keeping his options open amid community chatter that he plans to run for superintendent in Leon or Jefferson County school districts.
"I will acknowledge that I have heard about this speculation and right now, I can assure everyone that my main focus is continuing the great work we've been doing at Jefferson K-12," Pons told the Tallahassee Democrat.
Under Pons, the school earned a C grade from the state education department in 2023 after decades of Ds and Fs.
"At this time, I have not made any decision on what I will be doing next," Pons said. "What I enjoy most about being the principal is having a direct impact on children every day and I know that I would miss that."
"Anytime you've been elected before in a position you're going to have people speculate or comment and we've been very fortunate to have a lot of success here in Jefferson so I'm sure that fuels it," Pons continued. "This whole thing is more than just about me but about the whole team we've pulled together here in Jefferson County including some of the best teachers in the state."
Pons stepped in as turnaround principal at the school in 2022 after losing a re-election bid in Leon County in 2016. He took over just as the district was released from the hold of Somerset Academy charter, who was contracted by the state Department of Education to turn around the failing school district.
As principal, Pons is subject to reappointment by Superintendent Eydie Tricquet to determine if he will continue as principal at the school.
The Jefferson County superintendent's race currently has five candidates including Tricquet, who is seeking re-election. She did not return multiple calls for comment from the Tallahassee Democrat to talk about the race and her platform.
The Leon County Schools superintendent's race has three candidates, current Superintendent Rocky Hanna, Chiles Principal Joe Burgess and FAMU DRS Elementary Principal Star Swain.
Candidates will have to meet qualification requirements in June before being eligible for the August and November elections.
Alaijah Brown covers children & families for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at ABrown1@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: A run for superintendent? Jackie Pons says he's keeping options open
