Putnam County School District continues to make meaningful strides in academic achievement, student wellness, workforce preparation, and campus modernization, Superintendent Rick Surrency shared during the annual State of the District address at Tuesday’s School Board meeting.
Framed around the district’s five-year strategic plan—now entering its final year—Surrency emphasized PCSD’s unwavering focus on students and the progress being made across the county.
“At the heart of everything we do is a simple but powerful truth: we are proud to be PCSD,” Surrency said. “Our mission and our vision revolve around one focus, and that’s our students.”
Surrency reported measurable academic gains, noting that PCSD’s 2025 state grade improved across all four core subject areas. The district increased scores in 10 of the 12 grading components and earned its highest percentage of total possible points since Florida implemented its current school grading system in 2015.
To support continued growth, PCSD invested additional time, funding, and instructional resources into reading and math interventions for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. The district also adopted new instructional materials to better align classroom instruction with student needs.
“These results reflect a consistent focus on improving achievement,” Surrency said.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) remains a key priority for PCSD, with 14 programs offered across the district’s four secondary schools. Recent additions include aerospace technologies and building construction technologies, complementing established programs such as advanced manufacturing, agricultural science, allied health, automotive maintenance, and welding.
“These programs provide our students with job skills needed right here in Putnam County,” Surrency said, emphasizing the connection between education and local workforce needs.
PCSD continues to expand supports that address students’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Over the past year, the district partnered with a nonprofit organization to provide 673 free electrocardiogram (ECG) screenings to students in grades 7–12, helping identify potential heart conditions prior to athletic participation.
The district also launched Resilience Roots, a mental health and wellness program offering family therapy and trauma-focused services. The initiative is supported through funding from United Way of St. Johns and Putnam Counties.
Additional efforts include the continued presence of Jazzy, the district’s therapy dog, and the introduction of “Bouncy,” an animatronic dog used with younger students to promote emotional regulation and resilience.
Surrency highlighted several workforce initiatives focused on recruitment, retention, and employee wellness. Among the most significant was the opening of the PCSD Wellness Center, powered by Marathon Health, which provides no-cost medical care to employees and their dependents enrolled in district health insurance plans.
The district also approved pay raises for instructional, classified, and support staff and increased the starting salary for new teachers to $48,000. Contract negotiations resulted in additional supplements and financial benefits for employees.
PCSD continues to receive recognition for its districtwide professional learning communities and collaborative approach to staff development.
“We invest significant resources in growing the knowledge and expertise of our teachers, leaders, and staff,” Surrency said.
A major focus of the address centered on the district’s revitalization plan—described as a once-in-a-generation investment in safety, modernization, and community growth.
Three new schools are currently under construction:
Crescent City Junior-Senior High School
Palatka Intermediate School
Middleton-Burney Elementary School
At Crescent City, construction is taking place in phases on the existing campus. The new junior high and career and technical education wings opened in November and are already in use by students and staff. A new gymnasium is scheduled for completion in 2026. This project is funded through special facilities dollars appropriated by the Florida Legislature.
Palatka Intermediate School is scheduled to open in August and will serve students in grades 3–6. Middleton-Burney Elementary School is expected to open in August 2026. Both projects are funded through the voter-approved $300 million general obligation bond.
Looking ahead, Surrency announced plans for a new Palatka Primary School serving students in kindergarten through second grade, to be built on the site of the current Kelley Smith Elementary School. The district is also preparing to begin the Melrose Elementary School project as part of Phase 2 of the revitalization plan.
“These projects seek to unify learning, create consistency in the student experience, and bring safe and modern schools to all communities,” Surrency said.
As PCSD enters the final year of its current strategic plan, district leaders will begin developing a new three-year plan to guide the district through the 2028–2029 school year. Strategic planning will officially begin in January, with a presentation outlining the process scheduled for the January 20 School Board meeting.
“PCSD is entering an incredible period of growth,” Surrency said. “We’re modernizing our schools, strengthening communication, expanding opportunities, and centering everything we do around students.”
#ProudtobePCSD
Click here to access the Palatka Daily News article featuring PCSD's State of the District Presentation