Fallan Patterson
Staff Writer

The Osceola County School District has had four superintendents since 2008 but that’s not stopping the fourth – Melba Luciano – from wanting to make a more permanent mark during her tenure.

Luciano was named superintendent July 2 after an attempt by School Board members to fire former superintendent Terry Andrews resulted in Andrews announcing an early retirement.

Although her contract is only for six months while the School Board decides when to conduct another superintendent search, Luciano, 57, is wasting no time laying out her goals for the district and setting the tone for communication.

A district employee for 25 years, Luciano was assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. She is using her experience in her most recent position to help both students and teachers.

“(Curriculum and instruction) is what I’ve been looking at all along,” Luciano said. “We don’t have to make any changes whatsoever. We just need to stay focused on what we’re doing and do it well.”

Luciano’s “number one” goal is student achievement, ensuring teachers have the tools and professional development they need to help students make gains and reach their potential.

To help her continue with that goal, she met with School Board members individually to discuss communication.

“I’m hoping the board and the superintendent office can have a collaborative relationship so we can focus on that initial goal. Everybody would like a board who works together and is focused on kids,” Luciano said. “The objective is to focus on student achievement.”

Communication and collaboration has long been Luciano’s credo with district staff and the community, according to spokeswoman Dana Schafer.

“There is a respect factor with Melba because she’s been here so long. That has helped us have a smooth transition which is important this time of the year with school starting soon,” Schafer said. “Melba believes in open, honest communication. So far, it’s been good.”

Luciano was the district’s first Hispanic principal at Thacker Elementary School in 1997. She is now the district’s first Hispanic superintendent and, according to Schafer, could possibly be Florida’s first Hispanic female superintendent.

“It does make a difference that I am who I am,” Luciano said. “In a classroom, you want (role) models, you want teachers of different races and ethnicities so students have someone to look to.”

When she thought about the issue between the School Board and Andrews, Luciano decided now was the “right time” for herself, the district and the community for her to be superintendent.

“I can only be who I am. I’ve been working my way incrementally and I’ve been successful in my jobs,” she said. “At this time, I have to do a good job as superintendent.”

Luciano hopes to retain the position long term, having spent the majority of her professional career in Osceola County.

“I love this district. This is my home,” Luciano said. “Having developed that rapport with people is so important. I think if I can stay as long as possible in this position, we would keep growing. I would stay as long as they want me.”

Married to her husband, Joe, a technology teacher at Zenith School, for 37 years, the couple has a son and daughter and three grandchildren.