Biography of Dr. Robert Avossa, Ed.D., Superintendent

Dr. Robert Avossa is in his third year of leadership of the Palm Beach County School District.  The District is the 11^th largest district in the country with a student enrollment of more than 193,000 students.  The annual budget exceeds  $2.4 billion and the District is the largest employer in Palm Beach County with over 23,000 employees.

Since accepting the role of Superintendent, Dr. Avossa has redirected $5.5 million of the District budget back to Title I schools to support teaching and learning.  He has also allotted 6% in salary increases to personnel, including an increase of the minimum District wage to $10 per hour, and an increase to $14 per hour for bus drivers, making them the highest paid in South Florida.

The District has made rapid gains in student achievement under Dr. Avossa’s leadership.  For the first time in many years, Palm Beach County has no “F” rated schools.  The District outperforms other Florida urban Districts by ranking first or second in State accountability categories for English Language Arts, Science, Math, Civics, and U.S. History.  In total, 61% of all Palm Beach County Schools are rated “A” or “B” schools.

Dr. Avossa continuously stresses the entire District story isn’t told through just a grade.  The student graduation rate for District-operated schools has reached an all-time high of 88.3%.  The District continues to close significant achievement gaps that have persisted in Palm Beach County for far too long.  The District now leads the state in the graduation rate of black males with a significant  4.6% increase from the 2015 to 2016 graduation years.  In 2016, the Hispanic graduation rate realized over a 3% increase.

Dr. Avossa is a Broad Academy Fellow and a member of Chiefs for Change, an esteemed network of state and district education Chiefs.  He serves locally on the boards for the American Heart Association, CareerSource Palm Beach County, Children’s Services Council, Criminal Justice Commission, and Education Foundation of Palm Beach County.

Dr. Avossa is a University of South Florida graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Exceptional Education and Behavior Disorders, as well as a Master’s Degree in Special Education.  He earned his Doctorate Degree from Wingate University.