Deputy Superintendent Chad Farnsworth will be Lake County Schools’ next superintendent, a unanimous Lake County School Board decided Wednesday.
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The board opted for Farnsworth over Jose Bueno, chief of staff at Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the only other candidate considered, because board members said they valued the stability of an internal hire. He will take over from Superintendent Diane Kornegay, who is retiring at the end of the school year.
Farnsworth will become Lake’s next superintendent in either December or January, the district said in a statement, and will “share his vision and priorities” for the 41,000-student district at a board meeting Monday morning.
Following his selection, Farnsworth said he felt “deeply honored,” according to the district statement.
“I look forward to working alongside our board, our dedicated employees, our families, and our community to continue the tremendous progress we have made. Together, we will keep the momentum going,” he said.
Kornegay will step into a so-called “superintendent emeritus” role at the start of 2027 as Farnsworth takes over, according to the district.
Kornegay said she’s seen Farnsworth’s “deep commitment” to the district’s students during his time in the county.
“I advocated for his leadership because of his willingness to listen, his ability to navigate challenges and make tough decisions, and most importantly, to keep the focus on what’s right for kids,” Kornegay said in the statement. ” I am proud of what we have accomplished together and excited to watch him lead this district that I love so much into its next chapter.”
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Before coming to Lake County in 2017, Farnsworth spent his career in North Florida’s Bradford County working as a teacher, assistant principal and elected superintendent.
Farnsworth holds a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications management from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of North Florida. During his tenure as deputy superintendent, the district earned consecutive A grades from the state for the first time in 2025 and 2026.
At Wednesday’s meeting, several board members said they felt the district would be in good hands under Farnsworth’s leadership.
“I have all the confidence in the world for Chad to be able to do this job, 100%. To maintain the momentum and stability of this of this district. No doubt in my mind. And I look forward to hearing the vision,” said board member Marc Dodd.
In 2021, the neighboring Seminole County School Board picked Farnsworth to be its next superintendent, but that board abruptly changed course and selected a different candidate weeks later, before he started work there.
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