Senator William J. "Bill" Montford, III
Senator William J. Montford III
State of Florida
Bill began his career as a math teacher at Belle Vue Middle School in Tallahassee in 1969 and went on to serve as a school administrator for 26 years, including 18 years as a high school principal. Bill’s dedication and commitment to ensuring a strong educational foundation for students led to his decision to run for and win the position of Leon County Superintendent of Schools in 1996.
Bill’s exceptional leadership as superintendent is recognized throughout Leon County. Noting that education is fundamental to the economic growth of a community, the Mayor of Tallahassee proclaimed July 5, 2006 as Superintendent Bill Montford Day; and In June 2008, Bill received the highest honor bestowed on an educator when the Leon County School Board named a middle school in his honor.
In 2006, Bill was afforded an opportunity to utilize his leadership skills to effect positive change in Florida’s public education system as Chief Executive Officer of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents. In this role, Bill is using his leadership skills to further improve public education in Florida, making Florida a better place to live and improving the lives of Floridians.
Bill has carried on making a difference as a State Senator, elected in 2010.
Other Public Service
- American Association of School Administrators, State Executive Association
- Challenger Learning Center, Board of Directors
- Commissioner of Education's Community Involvement Council
- Downtown Community Redevelopment Area, Oversight Committee
- Florida Education Investment Trust, Board of Trustees
- Florida Education Purchasing Consortium, Board of Trustees
- Florida School Labor Relations Service Board
- Florida Society of Association Executives
- Florida TaxWatch Center for Educational Performance and Accountability
- Governor's Council on Physical Fitness
- Healthy Florida Foundation
- Judicial Management Council
- Leon County Community Board
- Legislative Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
- Mary Brogan Museum of Art & Science, Board of Directors
- Missing Children Information Clearinghouse, Advisory Board
- National Governors Association's Center for Best Practices Policy Academic Team
- Select Committee on Justice Teaching
- Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors
- Tallahassee Sports Council
- Urban Superintendents Association of America
Honors and Awards
- Leon County School Board named "William J. Montford, III Middle School", 2008
- Air Force Association, Presidents Citation, 2007
- John G. Riley Museum, Heritage Award, 2007
- Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce-Leadership Tallahassee, Distinguished leadership Award "Leader of the Year", 2006
- Kids Incorporated of the Big Bend, Budd Bell Award, 2006
- Florida Superintendent of the Year, 2002
- Bethel AME Church, Richard Allen Leadership Award
- Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and the College of Education, Florida State University, Excellence in Leadership Award, 2007
- Florida State University-College of Education, Distinguished Alumni Award
- Florida State University-College of Education Scholarship Endowment
- Lincoln High School, William J. Montford Principal's Award
- Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation, Educational Leadership Award
Affiliations
- United Way Campaign, Chair, 2006
- Florida Association of District School Superintendents, Association President, 2001-2002
- Florida High School Athletics Association, Board of Directors, 1997-2002
- Florida High School Athletics Association, President, 1998-1999
- 100 Black Men of Tallahassee
- American Red Cross, Capital Area Chapter, Board of Directors
- Big Bend Job and Education Council
- Big Bend Hospice, Board of Directors
- Florida State University-College of Education Alumni Association, President
- Leon County Schools Foundation
- Property Casualty Reform Task Force
- Tallahassee/Leon County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Board of Directors
- Tallahassee Human Relations Council
- Whole Child Leon Leadership Council