Leadership Rooted in Community Accountability

In Florida, many superintendents are elected by the public—a structure that keeps leaders like Dr. Surrency deeply connected to their communities. This community-elected leadership model fosters transparency and long-term planning.

“My job depends on getting voted in every four years,” Dr. Surrency explains. “So I do a lot of community appearances, activities, and advisory groups. I have to be in touch with the people.”

Inspired by Jim Collins’ Good to Great, Dr. Surrency has built sustainable systems that continue delivering results—even through leadership transitions.

Mentorship That Moves the Needle on Teacher Retention

One of Putnam County’s most impactful initiatives is its Novice Teacher Mentor Program—a standout example of teacher retention strategies in rural schools. New educators are paired with full-time mentors who provide dedicated support, rather than teaching their own classes.

• Retention rates for early-career teachers rose from 65% in 2018 to 93% today.

“Support and feeling valued are priceless,” says Dr. Surrency. “When teachers feel confident and know someone has their back, they stay.”

To further support staff, the district opened a wellness center offering free healthcare to employees with district insurance—an innovative move that addresses one of the biggest barriers in the education profession.

From Dropout Risk to Graduation Success

When Dr. Surrency took office in 2016, the district’s graduation rate was just 54.9%. Today, it’s 92.5%—the largest increase in Florida public schools.

Key Strategies:

• Early warning systems to identify at-risk students
• Graduation coaches embedded in every school
• Making learning relevant and career-focused

“We gave students a reason to be there,” says Dr. Surrency. “They could see a job waiting for them or a path to college.”

This approach aligns with best practices in student-centered learning and CTE program development—giving students real-world motivation to succeed.

STEM Starts Early—and Leads to Aerospace Careers

Putnam County’s STEM education model begins in kindergarten, with weekly electives that evolve into daily classes by sixth grade. This early exposure builds interest and confidence in high-demand fields like aeronautics, advanced manufacturing, and aerospace welding.

Students can:

• Earn pilot licenses
• Learn aerospace welding
• Prepare for careers in Florida’s booming space industry

As a charter member of Space Florida, the district is preparing students for jobs that didn’t exist a decade ago—and may not exist yet.

“We’re creating kids for jobs that don’t even exist yet,” Dr. Surrency says. “If we don’t teach them how to think and solve problems, they won’t be successful.”

Partnerships That Power Progress

Putnam County’s success is rooted in collaboration. The district partners with:

• STEM2Hub for STEM curriculum and resources
• Georgia Pacific for industry-aligned training
• Regional nonprofits to expand opportunity

“You cannot operate effectively in a vacuum,” says Dr. Surrency. “The answer is out there—and it’s been a great journey bringing that value back into our schools.”

These partnerships exemplify how rural school districts can leverage external resources to drive innovation and equity.