Repeatedly in his interview with National Weekly, newly appointed Broward County School Superintendent, Robert Runcie, 50, referred to the importance of improving the academic standards of students. He was very emphatic that his main focus when he assumes his new position was improving the quality of education for all of the district's students. "That's my primary goal," he says.

Runcie, one of four children, was born in the parish of Trelawny, Jamaica. He has cherished the importance of quality education since he was a child. At age six he migrated with his parents to Poughkeepsie, New York, and attended high school in Hyde Park. He later attended Harvard University, graduating with a degree in economics, and Northwestern University's J.L. Kellogg School of Management, where he earned a master's degree in management.

His father has passed away, but his mother, Eulalee, who made sure he had quality public school education, is still alive and proud of her son's accomplishments. He says although he has not visited Jamaica regularly, he keeps abreast of developments there, and anticipates visiting the country some time soon.

He says he has significant plans for empowering the Broward School District. For a school district that earlier this year received a scathing report from a Florida Grand Jury, including criticisms of its administrative operations, Runcie plans to improve the district's administration by starting with establishing high quality leadership, including the formation and implementation of a strong leadership team. He wants to create a culture of continuous improvement and transparency, and regularly examine respective areas to ensure they are operating properly. He also wants to set firm bench marks for the district and regularly compare these bench marks with other school districts.

Conscious of the financial problems facing school districts like Broward, Runcie's solution is to ensure there is astute financial management so that every dollar spent is invested properly to realize the best results – improving student achievement. He says expenditure must focus on improving activities in the classroom, which will in turn enhance public confidence in the school district and encourage improvement in the funding the district receives.

An experienced and competent administrator, Runcie assures that he also has the requisite experience in education to lead the district's educational developments. His experience in education includes managing schools, leading teachers, principals and creating strategies to improve school culture. He has also been successful in creating and improving data information banks to enhance student achievement, and developing grade schools through strong leadership.

To build the morale of the district's teachers, Runcie plans to meet with teachers and principals regularly to create strong rapport and to discuss any issues. He also plans to work closely with the teacher's union to address teachers concerns, and to ensure morale is maintained.

He believes there must be a well structured evaluation system for teachers, and will closely re-examine the component of that system to ensure it's fair and effective.

Regarding the merit pay system that links teachers' salaries and advancement to their students' grades, Runcie was cautious, saying he will need to examine the system more closely. He plans to look at how the system is implemented around the country to make any constructive decision. However, in this, as with most of his plans, his main concern and goal is to maintain appropriate student achievement in the classroom.

On the FCAT and standard achievement tests in general, Runcie says these tests are important, as students' standards must be the focus with the goal of enhancing American students' ability to compete more effectively globally. He emphasized that the testing should be based on a consistent curriculum through grades K to 12.

Runcie, who is awaiting the finalization of his contract, plans to assume his tenure by mid-October, and reiterated he is eager to commence working with the primary goal of improving the quality of education "for all the students" in the Broward School District.

Runcie is married to Diana, an attorney, and is a father of three daughtes, Mariama, Folasade and Ayanna.