Mike Wright
For the first time in 20 years, Citrus County will have a Superintendent not named Sam Himmel.
But it’s her hand-picked successor, Scott Hebert, who will fill the role.
Hebert, the Assistant Superintendent, bested Lecanto High School Principal Jason Koon in a race that wasn’t particularly close.
Hebert won with 60% of the vote.
“I am overwhelmed with the support from the community,” Hebert said. “The community has to decide who they want as their leader, and I’m humbled they chose me.”
The margin of victory is surprising considering the candidates were neck-and-neck in fundraising. Koon collected $65,000 to Hebert’s $80,000, though $10,000 of that is Hebert’s own money added to the campaign in the last two weeks.
Both are longtime Citrus County educators.
Hebert, a 1999 Florida Teacher of the Year, served as school principal, district chief academic officer and now is Assistant Superintendent.
He is a fixture in district administration. He regularly posts selfies with groups of children on field trips, or academic events.
Koon kept his experience at the school level, as coach, band director, assistant principal and principal. He’s been principal at Lecanto High the last eight years.
Koon declined opportunities to move into district administration. He said his experience at school sites had him better prepared for Superintendent than Hebert.
Hebert, on the other hand, made it clear to Himmel five years ago that he wanted to ascend to her job when she decided to retire.
