Leon Schools Superintendent results: Hanna bats away challenge from his own principal

Leon County Schools Superintendent Rocky Hanna's convincing win Tuesday with over 70% of the vote sets the stage for his quest to complete an ambitious agenda to ensure his legacy in the district's history.

Hanna's self-described final term in office will find him focusing on enrollment, reducing debt and leaving a school district of parity in the learning environment.

"I'm so proud of our team and what we've accomplished. We set some goals when I took office eight years ago and many of those goals, we've accomplished," Hanna said.

Hanna boasted his achievement of fulfilled promises to improve the district's Title I school facilities, which have many students from low-income families, and support art programs at all schools in the district.

Cheering, smiling and laughing boomed around the Egg Cafe eatery where Hanna hosted an election watch party Tuesday night.

"I made peace with myself that no matter what happened today, we were going to be OK," Hanna said choking back tears while speaking to a crowd of friends, family members, school board members and district staff.

With a sizable early vote in hand, Hanna kept building on a decisive lead in his race against one of his own principals, Joe Burgess of Chiles High School.

The superintendent held over 107,000 votes, more than any candidate on Leon County's ballot, including presidential candidates.

According to the Leon County Supervisor of Elections, Hanna received 71% of the vote, surpassing Burgess, who earned 28%.

Tuesday's general election concluded a near yearlong campaign that pitted Hanna against the popular principal of Leon County's largest high school. Hanna campaigned on issues such as increasing student enrollment and capital improvements, while Burgess pushed an agenda focused on more transparency of district operations and the need for increased teacher support.

Burgess told the Tallahassee Democrat in a phone call after early results were posted that he first called Hanna to congratulate him on a third term in office. He expressed gratitude to his family, supporters and volunteers who helped him campaign.

"I will do what I can to help support the school district, but my voice will continue to speak out on what's best for Leon County Schools," Burgess said. He said he would continue to host Facebook Live segments to keep citizens and parents informed, but running for office again would take more consultation and contemplation, he said.

Three out of five of the Leon County School Board members were present at Hanna's soiree: Rosanne Wood, Marcus Nicolas and Alva Smith.

The latest campaign contribution reports show Hanna raising $196,465 compared to Burgess getting $74,716.

Hanna, 60, has a 36-year tenure with the district, previously serving as principal at Leon High before being promoted to a director's position at the district that he says inspired his successful run for superintendent in 2016. He was re-elected in 2020 and has now captured a third term.

Burgess, 47, has worked in the district for 25 years, previously serving as principal at Swift Creek Middle School and Springwood Elementary School, before his appointment to lead Chiles High School in 2012.

The superintendent's salary is $159,988. In Leon County, the median family income in 2024 is $88,700, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Hanna will continue in the position on the second Tuesday after the general election, which would be Nov. 19, when elected officials are sworn in to their posts.

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Alaijah Brown covers children & families for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at ABrown1@gannett.com . Follow her on Twitter/X: @AlaijahBrown3 .

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Leon County superintendent of schools results: Hanna beats Burgess