Interim Hillsborough Schools Superintendent Prepares For New Year

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — With the departure of former Hillsborough County School Superintendent Addison Davis, school district veteran Van Ayres was unanimously appointed by the school board to serve as the interim superintendent for the nation's seventh-largest school system while a search is launched for a permanent head of schools.

Ayres was appointed to the role June 20 and assumed his new duties July 15.

In the meantime, the school board will launch a search for a permanent superintendent. The school board has yet to decide whether to launch a nationwide search or seek a candidate in the state.

"I'm excited to see what our superintendent search looks like and what that will lead us to," said school board member Jessica Vaughn.

School board member Stacy said she likes the idea of hiring someone internally who is already familiar with the challenges of the school district.

"In three months, I think we'll have a snapshot and it will at least inform us as to maybe the type of search we want to do and so forth," she said.

School board member Nadia Combs, however, said the school district needs to look further to find someone qualified to lead one of the largest school districts in the nation.

"I absolutely think we have to do a state search, if not a national search," she said. "To think that we're just going to look internally is not fair or right. I don't think it's a transparent process."

Ayres' new contract gives the board the ability to terminate him with cause or with 30 days written notice without cause. His salary is the same as outgoing Davis' salary — $310,000 a year.

Prior to his appointment, Ayres served as chief of strategic planning and partnerships for the school district where he directed and implemented the district’s five-year strategic plan.

Ayres previously served as deputy superintendent of schools for Hillsborough County Public Schools. In that position, he used his data-driven expertise to spearhead the work to improve the district’s graduation rate which increased 12.2 percentage points over a five-year period.

Ayres also established procedures to allow access to magnet and school choice programs for families transitioning into the district and implemented a process to allow families transitioning with a child with an Individualized Education Plan to connect with the Exceptional Student Education department before arriving.

Ayres was born and raised in Tampa and has been a lifelong educator with Hillsborough County Public Schools. He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1992 and attended the University of Tampa where he earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry.

Ayres began his teaching career in 1997 as a science teacher at Blake High School. In 2003, Ayres was selected as assistant principal for student affairs and later assistant principal of curriculum at Blake High School.

In 2012, Ayres jumped at the chance to return to his alma mater as principal of Jefferson High School.

Ayres has long been an advocate for military families and military students in the district through his district-level roles, during which he was chosen as co-chair of the MacDill Council for Educational Excellence made up of MacDill Air Force Base and district leaders who meet quarterly to enhance the educational experience of military-connected students.

Ayres also created a military staffing specialist position to assist military families transitioning with IEPs and worked with government relations on advocating for the establishment of the Purple Star School of Distinction through state legislation.

Ayres has served on many community organizations and boards. He is the district representative for the American Heart Association, co-chair of the MacDill Council for Educational Excellence, MacDill Air Force Base 6th Air Mobility Wing honorary commander, YMCA Governance Board member, Museum of Science and Industry board member and Leadership Tampa Class of 2019 graduate.

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Ayres is an avid runner who has qualified and competed in the Boston Marathon. He enjoys spending his free time on the water paddleboarding. He has two children, Sophia and Ian, both graduates of Hillsborough County Public Schools.

Meanwhile, the former schools superintendent, whose last day with Hillsborough County Schools was July 14, has signed on with Strategos Group, a leading national education management consulting firm.

With more than 24 years in education, Davis will work in the firm’s Business Transactional Advisory practice, supporting district partners and education organizations in the advancement of student objectives.

“Addison's commitment to students, teachers and the American education system accelerates our mission of helping students thrive in their living and learning," Strategos Group Managing Partner Adam Giery said. "Addison's arrival fulfills a goal to be the nation's only management consultancy with a partnership comprised of every major role in the American education ecosystem. We thank Addison, his wife, Natalie, and their daughters, Madisyn and Kaitlyn, for their trust and belief in our mission."

“The mission to positively impact student performance and outcomes is an instrumental part of who I am as a practitioner, Davis said. "Over the last 25 years, I have dedicated my time, efforts and energy to driving the most ambitious educational strategies that have led to transformational results for students both inside and outside the classroom.”

After decades in public education, Davis said he looks forward to the new challenge of channeling his knowledge and experience into private-sector work that can have a nationwide impact.

“By joining Strategos Group, there is an opportunity to work alongside an accomplished team of innovative professionals with diverse experience who are revolutionizing consulting practices and improving client services,” he said. “I am excited to be surrounded by forward-thinking leaders who share a common desire to create a positive change in education.”

“At Strategos, we are the nation’s only management consulting firm dedicated to the pre-K-20 education sector and we carefully evaluated the addition of a district superintendent to support our clients as they navigate this marketplace," said Todd Dallas Lamb, former White House appointee to the U.S. Department of Education and current Strategos Partner leading the BTA practice. "Addison Davis is a visionary and a true leader. I am beyond grateful that he chose Strategos to enter the next chapter of his remarkable career.”

“I could not be more excited to see Addison join our team,” said Jim Horne, Strategos partner and former Florida Commissioner of Education. “His accomplishments as a superintendent of one the largest school systems in the country have been amazing. He is a bold, creative and innovative leader who always focused on student success. He has that 'it' factor and pairs it with a can-do attitude, leading by example. Addison is a natural leader and, when he speaks, he puts thoughts into action. He will be an integral part of the Strategos family and will help shape the future of education.”

Hillsborough County students head back to school on Aug. 10.