James "Jim" Yancey, Jr., became Superintendent of Marion County Public Schools in June 2003. A former deputy superintendent, Mr. Yancey served as principal at Belleview and Dunnellon High schools. Mr. Yancey’s also a seasoned educator with teaching, coaching, mentoring, relationship building, and problem solving skills; he has been an educator for 30 years.
Among Mr. Yancey’s accomplishments in Marion County Public Schools:
Elimination of Court Ordered Desegregation
- “Unitary Status” granted by federal government reflecting the removal of a 28-year-old court desegregation order
- Balanced student demographic data
- Balanced staff ratios
- Released from Federal sanctions and judicial oversight
- Provided quality resources for all students
- Provided quality schools for all students
A+ School District that is Closing the Achievement Gap
- Developed a vocational center, Marion Technical Institute (MTI), providing career focus in areas determined by the community as highly needed
- International Center for Leadership in Education recognition of MTI program in providing rigor and relevance
- Implementation of Marion Virtual School, on-line classes through a franchise with Florida Virtual School, providing students an opportunity to recover credits and catch up to their grade level
- Increased and improved professional development for all staff members by creating a full staff development department
- Technology improvement
- Computers for all teachers
- Standardized hardware and software
- Increased number and quality of hardware in computer labs
- Improved software enabling individualized instruction and progress monitoring
- Computers-4-Kids give-away program
- Modification of the Continuous Improvement Model to continue improved academic achievement and closing of the achievement gap
- Instructional Focus Calendar assessments providing teachers with a system to monitor student progress
- Reading Emphasis Programs (Focus at the high school level)
- Model Classrooms to increase student achievement for low performing students
- Learning Communities to increase student achievement for low performing students
- Lower class sizes (below constitutional requirement)
- Higher SAT/ACT college entrance scores
- Improved AP, IB, and AICE scores
- Grade “A” School District distinction from Florida Department of Education
Community Support and Involvement
- Foundation Success (2005 funds surpassed the $1million mark)
- Marion Technical School (MTI) development with community collaboration
- Passing the ½ cent sales tax amendment for school growth and construction estimated to generate approximately $125 million over a 5-year-period
- Veteran’s Day activities and involvement in Marion County Schools
- 2007 Institutional “Communicator of the Year” (awarded for bomb threat response) from the Ocala Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association
- 2007 “Best of Show” and four 1st Place awards from the Sunshine State Public Relations Association
- 2007 Golden Achievement Award, two Awards of Excellence, one Award of Merit, and three Honorable Mentions from the National School Public Relations Association
- Partnership with the Children’s Alliance to provide food for needy families with students
- Summer camps supported and funded by ACA Construction Company - Camp Warp Speed and Summer Splash
- Two separate awards from the Veteran’s Association for work with veteran’s groups, including participation and coordination of activities on Veteran’s Day
- United Way donations of over $250,000 per year
- Emergency shelter management (hurricanes) by Marion County Public Schools staff to protect the community’s families, medically fragile, and pets
- Good News Clubs offered after the normal school day at elementary schools; community members work with younger children to help them establish critical thinking and positive decision skills.
Student Health and Safety
- Free Breakfast Program for all elementary students (2006)
- ALERTnow Notification System
- Successful student drug testing policy
- Developed and implemented middle school sports program
(569 students participated in volleyball in year one)
- MARS program implemented at middle school level encouraging students to “Make A Radical Stand” for positive decisions.
Finance/Business
- Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting six years in a row. This award is given by the Government Finance Officers Association to government units and public employee retirement systems whose comprehensive annual financial reports achieve the highest standards in government accounting and financial reporting.
- Upgrade of credit rating by Moody’s Rating agency to AAA because of improved financial standing
- Conservative business approach has resulted in annual increases in fund balance and continuous improvement of teacher salaries
- Consistently conservative approach to school construction projects continues to bring projects under the State average per square foot
Growth
- New schools including: Forest High, Hammett Bowen Jr. Elementary, Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks 4-8, and Liberty Middle School
- Planning completed for 5 new wings to existing schools to be built 2008-2009
- Remodeling of Vanguard High School, Lake Weir High School, South Ocala Elementary, Oakcrest Elementary, and Ward-Highlands Elementary
Mr. Yancey earned his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Physical Education from the University of Florida. His Masters of Education in Administration and Supervision also comes from UF. In Marion County, Mr. Yancey’s an active part of the First Presbyterian Church of Ocala, the Public Education Foundation,
the Economic Development Council, the Children's Alliance, and the Rotary Club. He is married to Kay; they have three children and four grandchildren.
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