Broward County Schools superintendent, a longtime leader in Palm Beach County, to retire

Broward County Schools Superintendent Peter Licata announced Tuesday in a public meeting that he'd be retiring from the school district after just nine months at the helm, citing a medical issue.

Licata was previously a 29-year employee and leader in Palm Beach County's school district.

A Broward native, he worked in Palm Beach County as the principal of Olympic Heights High School and the district's choice program before he became the superintendent of the district's southernmost region in 2019. He had been with Palm Beach County's school district since 1994.

On Tuesday, Licata said he'd confidentially shared with the board in December that he'd been receiving treatments for a medical condition.

"After conferring recently with my doctors, my wife and my four (adult) children, it is best that I retire from this incredible role as an educator after 30-plus years here in South Florida," he said.

Licata originally said he'd stay with the district through the end of the calendar year, but Broward's school board voted at the meeting to replace him with Deputy Superintendent Howard Hepburn. The board approved a three-year contract, which became effective immediately.

"We offer a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Licata for his dedicated service and commitment to our students and understand the need for him to focus on his health and family at this time,” School Board Chair Lori Alhadeff said in a news release.

“We are grateful to have Dr. Hepburn ready to take the helm and continue the important work of our District.”

Hepburn will be the county school district's fifth superintendent in three years.

Broward's district leadership faced plenty of big issues during Licata's short tenure: The district is weighing closing schools due to lower enrollment, has considered a four-day school week for some campuses and has begun a metal-detector program to address school safety concerns.

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Licata had previously thrown his hat into the ring for superintendent jobs across Florida

With more than 250,000 students and 241 schools, Broward's school district is the second-largest in the state and the sixth-largest in the country.

Palm Beach County's public school system ranks fifth in the state and 10th in the nation with about 190,000 students and 180 campuses.

Prior to his hiring in Broward, Licata had been on the hunt for a superintendent job for nearly five years.

From 2018 to 2023, Licata had been named a finalist at least four times in districts across Florida. He and Keith Oswald, Palm Beach County's chief of equity and wellness, were even named as finalists in Broward County's 2022 search for a superintendent. Licata withdrew at the time.

Licata also threw his hat into the ring in Palm Beach County. Licata was among the candidates passed over in 2015 when the board chose Robert Avossa.

Reached Wednesday, current Palm Beach County Superintendent Mike Burke said he and the entire school district congratulate Licata on his retirement.

“Dr. Licata’s impact will be felt by students across South Florida, and we wish him the best in retirement," Burke said.

Katherine Kokal is a journalist covering education at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at kkokal@pbpost.com. Help support our work; subscribe today!

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Broward County Schools superintendent Pete Licata to retire