James “Jim” Notter, the previous superintendent of Broward County Public Colleges who helped steer the district by way of one of the crucial turbulent intervals in its historical past, died on Could 7 at his residence in West Palm Seashore after a 14-month battle with most cancers, in line with the Sun Sentinel. He was 78.
A lifelong educator and administrator, Notter was remembered for his calm management amid crises that included financial turmoil, corruption investigations, and steep funds cuts. He served as superintendent of the nation’s sixth-largest faculty district from 2006 to 2011.
After he retired, Jamaican-born Robert Runcie grew to become superintendent of Broward Colleges.
“Jim was a steadying presence throughout a time when the district desperately wanted one,” mentioned colleagues reflecting on his legacy.
Throughout Notter’s tenure, the district remained constantly A-rated—an achievement it might not reclaim once more till 2024, years after his departure. However his management coincided with profound challenges: two faculty board members have been arrested on corruption costs, the 2008 recession triggered large funding cuts, and the rise of constitution colleges siphoned college students and assets from conventional public colleges.
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Notter guided the district by way of worker furloughs and layoffs, and oversaw the troublesome determination to halt many deliberate renovations of growing old faculty services resulting from dwindling assets.
Initially from Buffalo, New York, Notter started his profession in schooling as a instructor and administrator earlier than shifting to Florida in 1986 to work within the district’s Profession, Technical, Grownup, & Group Schooling division. He went on to carry a number of high roles inside the district, together with space superintendent, affiliate superintendent, deputy superintendent, and chief of workers to then-Superintendent Frank Until.
Following Until’s firing in 2006, the Faculty Board named Notter interim superintendent. He was formally appointed to the function in 2007.
After his retirement, Notter relocated to West Palm Seashore to be nearer to his grandchildren and continued contributing to schooling as a guide for South Tech Academy, a vocational highschool in Boynton Seashore.
Notter is survived by his spouse, Judith, their daughters Kimberly Randolph and Michelle Garcia, each of West Palm Seashore, and 4 grandchildren.
A celebration of life shall be held at 11 a.m. on Could 31 within the auditorium at Dillard Excessive Faculty, positioned at 2501 NW eleventh St., Fort Lauderdale.
