WHERE THEY STAND: BROWARD COUNTY COMMUNITY LEADERS HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE IN SUPPORT OF ROBERT RUNCIE
By Clayton Gutzmore
Broward County Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie is at the center of a huge controversy. On April 21, Runcie was arrested by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) on the account of perjury. This news left many confused and upset. This moment also sparked a passion, as people rallied together to support Runice in this difficult time. Community, business, religious leaders, and officials gathered for a press conference to show support for the Broward superintendent, “Today’s event came about from an ongoing situation to remove Runcie out of office. If we didn’t know that there’s a sustained effort to get him out of office there wouldn’t be as many people here,” said Dale Holness, District 9 Commissioner of Broward County.
The press conference took place on Friday, April 23 at the Broward County Public Schools administration building in Fort Lauderdale. Over 40 people assembled outside the building to show solidarity with Runcie, “Every person in this country who is accused of any crime is innocent until proven otherwise. We believe he is innocent as the process plays out,” said Sidney Calloway, Chair of the Urban League of Broward County. Runcie’s charge is perjury in official proceedings, or other words lying under oath. The issue that everyone has with this accusation is FDLE has yet to reveal what he lied about. This leads many to believe there is a sinister motive behind the situation, “We had a president that was lying every single day and we are accusing Runcie of lying? Whose truth is that?” said Holness.
Runcie’s work in the school district is why people converged so quickly for his defense. Newton Sanon, President, and CEO of OIC South Florida shared at the press conference that Broward County School’s advanced placement rates are the highest in the decade because of Runcie. Kathleen Cannon, President, and CEO of United Way of Broward County shared how the non-profit community was able to get involved with social-emotional learning for the students because of Runcie. Commissioner Holness shared how the county currently has no F schools because of Runcie.
What’s next is hearing from the Broward County School board after their meeting on Tuesday, April 27. Runcie’s arrest is on their agenda. On Wednesday, May 12, Runcie will be in court for his formal arraignment on his perjury charges. Holness and the other leaders at the press conference are encouraging everyone to not only watch this case diligently but come out and show support for the Broward superintendent, “I want people at the school board building Tuesday at 9:30 am in droves. I want them to demonstrate peacefully their support for Runcie. If the school board takes him out there will be political consequences,” said Holness.
