- April 18, 2024
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When the 2017-18 school year begins in Flagler County this August, Jacob Oliva will not be employed by the District for the first time in 17 years: He will be stepping down and taking an executive level position with the Florida Department of Education.
Oliva has served as the district's superintendent for two years, and was previously the principal at Flagler Palm Coast High School and a teacher at Wadsworth Elementary School.
“When I reflect about our accomplishments and my personal growth and journey through education in Flagler Schools, I am forever grateful to each and every person that has impacted me throughout my journey," Oliva said.
Additional information about his new role will be released by the FDOE. Oliva is working with the School Board on a timeline for his departure.
“I am excited about the opportunity to join a high-performing state-level team that will not only impact the achievement levels of the students in Flagler County, but statewide," Oliva said. "I am honored that State Education Commissioner Pam Stewart, Chancellor Hershel Lyons and the State Board of Education have welcomed me to their team. I am extremely humbled by the fact that I will be replacing Mary Jane Tappen, someone I have personally admired, respected and learned from over the course of my career. To be considered as her successor, I am truly grateful.” Tappen is the current Executive Vice Chancellor of K-12 public schools.
Under Oliva’s leadership, Flagler Schools became the first district in the State to implement a 1:1 initiative of putting technology into the hands of every student enrolled in a Flagler County public school. It is a model which has garnered attention throughout the country.
Graduation rates have steadily climbed to the highest point they have been in a decade. Through Oliva's reorganization of the School District, the focus has been directly placed on student initiatives to prepare students for careers in the twenty-first century.
This includes Oliva’s Classroom to Careers Flagship Program, which is in every school and expands unique learning spaces across the District. All of this has been done in spite of declining financial resources and revenue.
Oliva has one final message to the Flagler Schools family: “I just want to thank the School Board, our teachers, administrators, support staff, students and parents for all of their support and confidence they placed in me," he said. "To our local governments, community leaders and partners: The School District could not have grown into the premier learning organization it is today without your steadfast support. Flagler Schools is the heart and soul of our community. Flagler County will always hold a special place in my heart. I am confident the initiatives that we have put forth together and the partnerships we have cultivated will continue to evolve and grow as they impact our students and citizens for years to come.”
School Board members will begin laying out the process to find the next superintendent of Flagler Schools.
“We wish Jacob only the best as his career path takes a new turn," said Flagler County School Board Chairman Trevor Tucker. "It will be good to have a friend of Flagler Schools in Tallahassee.”
