TAVARES, Fla. — Lake County Schools Deputy Superintendent Chad Farnsworth will be the district’s next superintendent following a unanimous vote by the School Board Wednesday.
Farnsworth will succeed Superintendent Diane Kornegay, who is retiring at the end of the 2026-27 school year after leading the district for a decade.
Farnsworth has served as deputy superintendent since 2024 and previously spent seven years as the district’s assistant superintendent and chief of staff. He also served four years as superintendent of Bradford County Schools.
The School Board received seven applications for the position, with Farnsworth and Miami-Dade County Public Schools Chief of Staff Jose Bueno meeting the district’s qualifications. Board members described Bueno as a strong candidate but said they were seeking stability and continuity as the district transitions to new leadership.
Kornegay will remain with the district through the end of the school year but is expected to transition to a “superintendent emeritus” role in December or January as Farnsworth takes over as superintendent.
Farnsworth is scheduled to outline his vision and priorities for the district during a workshop at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 31 at the district office in Tavares.
