Rocky Hanna wins Leon County Schools superintendent primary race
With early votes counted and all precincts reporting Election Day results, Rocky Hanna has won his Democratic primary race for Leon County Schools superintendent.
According to the Leon County Supervisor of Elections, Hanna, the incumbent, received 82% of the vote, defeating Star Swain who received 18%. Hanna now will face Joe Burgess, the no-party-affiliated candidate, in the November general election.
"I want to thank Ms. Swain for the professional and respect manner she ran her campaign," Hanna said in a statement. "I am extremely proud of the results tonight, but the job is not yet finished. The margin of victory is a true testament to our record over the last eight years, our vision for the future and our hard work. I can't thank our community enough for believing in me. I won't let you down."
Hanna, first elected superintendent in 2016, and Burgess, principal of Chiles High School, have had a chilly relationship in the past after the district accused him of violating district policy for paying teachers for extra work without documentation. Burgess was suspended for two weeks earlier this year as a result.
"It's a sad day for the parents and students in Leon County Schools when paying teachers for doing more work results in a two-week suspension of the principal," Burgess said at the time. "If that's wrong, I don't want to be right."
And Hanna is currently on a two-year probation following an investigation by the Florida Department of Education for allegedly infusing his "personal views" into his role as head of the district in 2022.
That investigation was opened after local Moms for Liberty members, Gov. Ron DeSantis and state Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. battled with the district over mask mandates and criticized Hanna's advice to LCS teachers.
Hanna, 60, is a 36-year veteran of Leon County Schools. In an interview with the Tallahassee Democrat, Hanna said he aims to increase Leon County’s kindergarten readiness numbers from 53% to over 60% by 2028.
Burgess, 47, has worked in the district for 25 years. He was previously a principal at Swift Creek Middle School and Springwood Elementary School.
Burgess said he aims to improve school safety, boost individual schools' academic standing and build better academic environments with more technology.
The superintendent's salary is $159,988. In Leon County, the median family income in 2024 is $88,700, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Swain is currently the principal of Florida A&M University Development Research School's elementary grades and has 21 years of experience in teaching and administration.
Ana Goñi-Lessan, state watchdog reporter for the USA TODAY Network – Florida, can be reached at agonilessan@gannett.com.