Lake County Schools Deputy Superintendent Chad Farnsworth will become the district’s next superintendent following a unanimous vote by the Lake County School Board.

The decision comes as Superintendent Diane Kornegay prepares to retire at the end of the 2026-27 school year after more than 35 years in public education and a decade leading Lake County Schools.

Kornegay will remain with the district through the end of the school year but is expected to transition into the role of “superintendent emeritus” in December or January as Farnsworth takes over as superintendent.

Farnsworth has served as Lake County’s deputy superintendent since 2024. Before that, he spent seven years as assistant superintendent and chief of staff for the district.

He previously served as superintendent of Bradford County Schools after being elected to the position in 2012. He remained in that role for four years. According to his resume, Farnsworth helped improve the district’s grade and graduation rate while guiding the district through a financial crisis.

Kornegay said she had watched Farnsworth’s work in Bradford County before bringing him to Lake County.

“I watched the transformational work Chad Farnsworth performed in Bradford County, and knew that I wanted him as part of my team when I came to work in Lake,” she says. “We have worked closely together for the past 10 years with him serving first as an assistant superintendent and the last two years as deputy superintendent. I have seen firsthand his deep commitment to our students, staff and the communities we serve. 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. 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.”

The School Board received seven applications between July 31 and Aug. 14. Two applicants met the board’s qualifications for the position.

Those requirements included at least 10 years of progressively responsible district-level administrative experience in a Florida public school district, including at least five years in a district-based administrative or policymaking role with broad authority over management policies and general district operations.

The board also sought a candidate with a record of improving student achievement and academic performance through measurable annual growth.

Jose Bueno, chief of staff for Miami-Dade County Public Schools since 2021, was the other applicant who met the qualifications.

Before becoming chief of staff, Bueno served as a region superintendent in Miami-Dade, where, according to the district release, his region became the first in the district to have no D- or F-rated schools under the state accountability system. He previously served as a region administrative director and school principal.

Board members acknowledged Bueno as a strong candidate during the meeting but said they were seeking stability and someone who could continue the district’s current direction rather than a change agent.

Lake County Schools earned consecutive A ratings from the Florida Department of Education in 2025 and 2026 under Kornegay’s leadership. Graduation rates for district-operated schools have also reached a record 96 percent, according to the district.

Students have also gained expanded opportunities in Career and Technical Education, dual enrollment, the International Baccalaureate program, the Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education program and the arts.

Kornegay was named Florida’s 2026 Superintendent of the Year by the Florida Association of District School Superintendents and is the longest-serving appointed superintendent in Florida, according to the district.

Farnsworth is scheduled to share his vision and priorities for Lake County Schools during a workshop at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 31, at the district office, 201 W Burleigh Blvd. in Tavares.