On Balance with Addison Davis

In this On the Clock episode, Dr. Rod Berger sits down with new Strategos Group Partner and former Hillsborough County Public Schools Superintendent Addison Davis. Davis is an accomplished education leader with a wealth of experience in the field. As Superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) from March 2020 to July 2023, he made significant contributions to one of the largest school systems in the country. Under Davis’ leadership, HCPS experienced remarkable improvements, including a rise in the district’s state academic ranking from 35th to 19th, the highest in its history. He successfully guided the district through the COVID-19 pandemic and overcame a deficit of more than $150 million. He also played a crucial role in reducing the number of underperforming schools, improving the graduation rate from 87% to 89%, the highest in the district’s history. One of his greatest accomplishments was reducing 28 historically “D” and “F” schools to only five over his 39-month tenure. Davis’ achievements extend beyond Hillsborough County. During his tenure as Superintendent of Schools for Clay County, he led efforts that resulted in significant academic progress, including an impressive jump in the district’s statewide academic ranking from 20th to 7th. He also oversaw a notable increase in the graduation rate from 84% to 93%, narrowing the achievement gap in the process. Before his time in Clay County, Davis was the Chief of Schools for the Duval County Public School System, the country’s 20th largest school district. He served Duval County Schools for eighteen years, beginning as a teacher before becoming an Assistant Principal, Principal, Executive Director of Turnaround, Middle School Cluster Chief, and then Region Superintendent. In addition to his accomplishments, Davis has been recognized for his contributions to education. He was named Superintendent of the Year by the Florida Association for Career and Technical Education and received the Allen Temple A.M.E. Church Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Award. Davis' commitment to community engagement during the pandemic earned him the Whitney M. Young Service Award. He is also a member of Chiefs for Change, a distinguished network of district and state education leaders.