TAVARES – Lake County Schools Deputy Superintendent Chad Farnsworth will be the next superintendent of the district, the School Board unanimously decided today.
The search began shortly after Superintendent Diane Kornegay announced she would retire at the end of the 2026-27 school year, after more than 35 years in public education and a decade as superintendent. She is the longest-serving appointed superintendent in Florida, and she was recognized as Florida's 2026 Superintendent of the Year by the Florida Association of District School Superintendents.
Between July 31 and August 14, the board received seven applications, two of which met the qualifications, which included a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible district-level administrative experience in a Florida public school district, including at least five years in a district-based administrative or policymaking position with broad authority for management policies and general district operations. The board was also looking for someone with a demonstrated record of advancing student achievement and academic performance through consistent, measurable annual growth in student learning, as reflected in state accountability ratings and state progress monitoring data.
Before being named Lake's deputy superintendent in 2024, Farnsworth served seven years as assistant superintendent and chief of staff in Lake. In 2012, he was elected to serve as superintendent of Bradford County Schools, a role he held for four years. During that time, he elevated the district grade, boosted the graduation rate, and rescued the district from a critical financial crisis, his resume shows.
Jose Bueno, chief of staff at Miami-Dade County Public Schools since 2021, also met Lake’s qualifications. Before being named chief of staff, he served as region superintendent in Miami-Dade, achieving a historic milestone as the first region in the district with no D or F schools under the state accountability system and elevating regional performance to national recognition with multiple schools named among Newsweek's Top 100 High Schools. He was a region administrative director and school principal prior to being named to roles with increased responsibility.
Board members at their meeting today acknowledged Bueno as a strong candidate, but said they were looking for stability, not a change agent, and a superintendent who could reliably continue Lake’s positive momentum.
Under Kornegay's leadership, Lake County Schools earned its first consecutive A ratings from the Florida Department of Education in 2025 and 2026. Graduation rates for district-operated schools have climbed to a record 96 percent. At the same time, students continue to benefit from expanded opportunities in Career and Technical Education, college dual enrollment, the International Baccalaureate program, the Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) program, and the arts.
"I watched the transformational work Chad Farnsworth performed in Bradford County, and knew that I wanted him as part of my team when I came to work in Lake," Kornegay said. "I have seen firsthand his deep commitment to our students, staff, and the communities we serve. I advocated for his leadership because of his willingness to listen, his ability to navigate challenges and make tough decisions, and most importantly, to keep the focus on what's right for kids. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and excited to watch him lead this district that I love so much into its next chapter."
Kornegay will remain with the district until the end of the school year, but will transition in December or January to the role of "superintendent emeritus" as Farnsworth steps into the superintendent position.
He will share his vision and priorities for the district at a workshop at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, August 31, at the district office, 201 W. Burleigh Blvd., Tavares.