Superintendent Announces Desire to Leave Hernando County

BROOKSVILLE – Big changes coming to the Hernando County School District, after school officials announced today that Superintendent John Stratton will be seeking employment elsewhere.

According to a statement by school officials, Stratton will be applying for the position of Superintendent in Brevard County, but will remain with the district during the selection process

"I truly love serving the students, staff and community here in Hernando County, where I have spent the past 18 of my 30 years in public education," Stratton said. "After discussing it with my family, I decided to apply in Brevard County as a professional growth opportunity."

Stratton served as a teacher, behavior specialist, school principal and district administrator before the school board selected him as superintendent in 2018. The Brevard position became available when the school board and superintendent Mark Mullins parted ways last November.

In his announcement to his staff, Stratton stated, "If the Brevard County School Board selects me, I will allow plenty of time to create a smooth transition here. And, if they do not select me, I plan to remain here as your superintendent." Stratton continues, "The Brevard position serves as a logical progression of my career, similar to someone working in the private sector looking very seriously at opportunities to grow and tackle a new challenge." He added, "This move has nothing to do with politics, discontentment, policy decisions or the current school board, and I will faithfully do my duties here as the Brevard school board makes its decision."

Despite Stratton's claim that politics had nothing to do with his decision, sources say State Senator Blaise Ingoglia's increasing influence over local elections may have played a part. Ingoglia's Government Gone Wild PAC funded a series of vicious mudslinging campaigns that left voters wondering who really controls the elections.

Stratton's predecessor Lori Romano was removed from her post in 2018, in part for her decision to fire 47 teachers at Moton Elementary school. Romano was also criticized for applying for higher paying superintendent positions without notifying the public.