WEST PALM BEACH (BocaNewsNow.com) (Source: Palm Beach County School District) — Dr. Donald E. Fennoy II, a veteran educator who worked his way from elementary school teacher to Chief Operating Officer of the nation’s 11th largest school district, was selected Wednesday by the Palm Beach County School Board as the District’s 26th Superintendent of Schools.
Dr. Fennoy has served as the District’s Chief Operating Officer since May 2016, overseeing a wide range of District functions, from School Police and School Food Services to Transportation and Planning & Intergovernmental Relations.
“Our School District has made tremendous strides in the past three years, achieving historic graduation rates while narrowing the achievement gap,” said School Board Chairman Chuck Shaw. “The Board is confident in Dr. Fennoy’s ability to continue that momentum, and build upon the important work mapped out in our District’s strategic plan.”
Before coming to Palm Beach County with his wife and two children, he was Senior Area Superintendent for Fulton County Schools and served as Executive Director for non-profit New Leaders for New Schools: Maryland.
While serving as a high school principal in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, the high school led by Dr. Fennoy received the National School Change Award. This honor is presented annually to six schools in the United States that have demonstrated the greatest academic turnaround in a two-year period.
“This community is wonderful, I’ve had a great experience, I’ve learned a lot and the people that I’ve worked with are amazing,” Dr. Fennoy said after getting the good news about his selection. “I look forward to continuing our strategic plan and I’m excited about working with this team. Everyone is so passionate about the kids in this District, and I am too. Schools are built for the purpose of educating our children and that’s our job, period.”
Dr. Fennoy began his career as an elementary school teacher with Orange County Public Schools, where he also served as an assistant principal.
He is a member of the 2015-2016 class of the Broad Academy, part of the Broad Center for the Management of School Systems. Chiefs for Change named him part of their 2017 cohort of the Future Chief program; his alma mater, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, named him among the university’s 125 most notable alumni as part of the University’s 125th anniversary gala.
Dr. Fennoy graduated from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University with a degree in Elementary Education. He earned a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Central Florida.
He and his wife Kendra are the proud parents of two beautiful children.
Monday, December 04, 2023
