Watkins withdraws from Palm Beach County schools superintendent race

Just two days after his interview, Palm Beach County schools superintendent finalist Tom Watkins has dropped out.

In an email today, Watkins (photo at right) told the School Board to move on without him. Of course, it appeared the board already planned to do just that.

Five of the seven board members agreed to consider interim superintendent Wayne Gent for the permanent position. He could be offered the job on Wednesday. The board decided to add Gent to the mix, immediately after interviewing finalists Watkins, Connie Jones of Lee County, and hometown candidate Janis Andrews.

Watkins, an education and business consultant from Michigan, encountered heavy opposition from Palm Beach County education activists and parents. And he had failed to win endorsements from labor unions. But he wishes everyone well. Here is his full statement:

“After careful consideration, I am no longer interested in being considered for the position of superintendent for Palm Beach County, Florida. I enjoyed meeting and learning from the great teachers, administrators, principals, parents, community activists, business leaders and students I met with during the interview process. I wish them all the very best moving forward.”