This is a vitally important year for Broward Schools and the first step is selecting our next leader.  The choice comes down to CONTINUITY vs. CHANGE.  We firmly believe CHANGE….change in leadership, change in culture, change in community engagement, change in execution is what BCPS urgently needs.

Michael Gaal is that change.

We ask that you support our recommendation by signing this petition that will be personally delivered to the Broward School Board.

Since the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas in 2018, Concerned Citizens of Broward County has advocated for a safe learning environment for ALL students and staff, excellence in education, and bold, new leadership to build the best school district in the country to honor our friends and neighbors who we lost that tragic day.  Since the beginning of the pandemic, Broward Parents for Academic Excellence has advocated, as a collective group of Broward County parents, as well as students and teachers, to promote love, integrity, faith, academic excellence and empowerment in the Broward County Public School system.

Our children represent the future and deserve a first-class education that will enable them to succeed in a challenging and rapidly changing global environment.

We need your help.

Our two groups strongly recommend the appointment of Michael Gaal to be the next Superintendent of Broward Public Schools.

Mr. Gaal is a proven leader of impeccable character with an unblemished record of public service as a military leader and an educational professional.  On one of his recommendation letters, his superior at Oakland Unified School District, described Mr. Gaal, Chief of Staff for OUSD, as follows: “In addition to his work to improving services on behalf of students, Michael is an effective leader because he is a service-oriented leader who work collaboratively to implement strategic priorities” and “he leads with humility and respect for others.”

In Mr. Gaal’s letter to the Board, he stated “my application should make you scratch your head and ask if more of the same will get you anything new in the end?  Broward County Public Schools needs a leader who can bridge the classroom and the community and believes in students and staff alike.”

Gaal has quickly identified the problems facing our district.  He champions investing in teachers, ensuring safety for all, fiscal responsibility and planning for when Covid money disappears.  He understands our problems like under-enrollment, the movement of too many to charter schools.  He wants to increase engagement of our community, ensure opportunities for all and an equitable allocation of resources.  He really understands us.

With your support, we can help point Broward Schools in a positive direction again, and rebuild our district into the public-school system we, the constituents of Broward County, deserve.