MOORE HAVEN — The Glades County School Board and Judge Jack Lundy of the 20th Judicial Circuit Court installed Alice “Beth” Barfield as the new superintendent of schools on Tuesday evening.

Much applause was heard in the Moore Haven Middle High School gymnasium after Dr. Barfield, 49, formerly principal of the Alva School in Lee County and herself a product of Glades County public schools (Class of 1990, MHHS), took her oath of office.

Later, she presented her comprehensive launch plan to newly sworn-in and sitting board members plus the sizable listening audience.

“I am honored, humbled and inspired by the incredible responsibility to improve teaching in learning in Glades County. It is my hope to build upon the great foundation by cultivating new, innovative experiences that will improve student performance ... In an effort to guide our work, I have established a 100-page plan, Accelerate Glades.”

Dr. Barfield went on to explain the components, which are to “listen, learn, problem-solve and take action.”

She said she hopes to enlist all of those holding a stake in the success of Glades County public schools to join in her efforts to improve the organization, since everyone depends upon educated students turning into workers and taxpayers with families who will build on the community’s roots.

Barfield vowed that she is for transparency and outreach in governing the district’s schools, aiming for “a comprehensive plan that ... establishes high expectations for all workers and employees.”

She said she wants to build a “collective vision for the future of Glades County (schools) with a voice for board members, employees, community members and civic leaders.”