SONITA THOMPSON
Jacksonville,Florida
Summary
Results-oriented Chief of Staff with expertise in supporting organization's culture, structure, and challenges. Skilled in generating improvements in functioning, procedures, and planning. Demonstrated knowledge of supporting pipelines to sustain growth.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder and Senior Consultant
Executive Match, LLC
Jacksonville, FL
10.2023 - Current
- Manage consulting company specializing in connecting experienced executives with educational and non-profit organizations that need temporary, short-term work solutions.
- Support organizations with maintaining operational compliance (contract review and management, policy development, administrative rules, open records requirements, etc.).
- Provide Human Resource consulting services, including performance audits, Climate and Culture Reviews, and Employee Relations support.
- Conducts timely and thorough investigations on behalf of organizations (employee misconduct, harassment, retaliation, Title IX).
Chief of Staff
Children’s Literacy Initiative
10.2023 - Current
- Assists the CEO and Board in developing, implementing and monitoring the organization’s strategic plan
- Supports the execution of various key strategic initiatives, working collaboratively with senior leadership and cross-functional teams
- Collaborates with leadership team to ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations and internal policies.
Chief of Staff
Duval County Public Schools
01.2019 - 10.2023
- Represented the Office of the Superintendent with the governing board, leadership staff, and community and partner organizations, as needed.
- Managed the district's Office of Governmental Relations; reviewed legislation and agency rules to determine applicability to district operations and ensure timely and effective implementation.
- Managed the district's Policy and Compliance, Strategic Planning, Public Records, Purchasing, and Grants departments.
- Provided first line of support to the Operational Divisions of the district, including Operations, Human Resources, Finance, IT, and Communications.
- Managed executive communications of the district, including monthly Board agenda, bi-monthly board workshop presentations, and management oversight calendar.
- Facilitated communication between and among cabinet members, and served as a liaison with board members and the district on behalf of the Superintendent.
Assistant Superintendent/Chief Human Resource Officer
Duval County Public Schools
04.2012 - 01.2019
- Responsible for human capital matters involving the strategic recruiting and hiring of staff, employee retention, and other personnel matters to sustain a healthy work force for the district’s 12,000 employees
- Served as the primary negotiator for district’s bargaining team for instructional and teacher support units consisting of 8,000 plus members
- Provided advisory support for the remaining four bargaining units
- Advised Superintendent and Board on collective bargaining matters including employee compensation and raises, performance evaluation systems and other working conditions
- Provided interpretation of collective bargaining agreements for departments and schools and advised on related compliance matters
- Led Professional Standards team responsible for investigating employee misconduct
- Made recommendations to the Superintendent and School Board for employee suspensions without pay and terminations related to disciplinary matters
- Served as organizational representative at administrative hearings, mediations, grievances and protest hearings involving employee and/or organizational conflicts
- Oversaw Risk Management staff responsible for managing the organization’s Worker’s Comprehension and General Liability claims as well as the acquisition of district Insurance programs.
Executive Director, Policy and Compliance
Duval County Public Schools
07.2008 - 04.2012
- Negotiated and reviewed professional service contracts with agreements with external vendors for legal form and sufficiency prior to execution by the Board and/or superintendent
- Reviewed contracts to ensure compliance with rules governing competitive solicitations
- Served as the liaison between the School Board and the Office of General Counsel for legal matters involving general litigation, employment matters, ESE compliance matters, mediations, arbitrations and other proceedings before the School Board and/or FLDOE
- Provided legal and policy updates to principals and district staff regarding compliance matters and other legal issues related to education including interpretation of Board Policies, family law issues impacting students (interpreting parenting timeshare/custody agreements) and employee obligations regarding reporting abuse and neglect
- Served as the district’s contact for Public Records requests.
Program Manager, Paralegal Studies
Florida State College of Jacksonville
01.2007 - 01.2008
- Supervised and managed all administrative program functions including hiring and evaluation of staff, program marketing and curriculum review and recommendations
- Reviewed curriculum and program functions to ensure compliance with the American Bar Association.
Assistant Public Defender, Juvenile Division
Office of the Public Defender, 4th Judicial Circuit
Jacksonville, FL
01.2006 - 01.2007
- Served as lead and co-counsel in juvenile division
- Conducted bench trials for youth accused of felony and misdemeanor offenses
- Prepared court pleadings necessary for the representation of clients.
Principal
Duval County Public Schools
Jacksonville, FL
01.1994 - 01.2005
- Supervised and managed all school-based administrative functions
- Ensured school operated in accordance with School Board and District policies
- Facilitated hiring of certified and professional staff of over 75 personnel
- Supervised curriculum implementation, grade level planning and conducted annual employee evaluations
- Managed district operating and internal budgets.
Information Manager
United States Air Force
McConnell AFB, KS
01.1989 - 01.1993
- Managed administrative communications for a squadron of 250 personnel
- Conducted routine inspections of section publications for compliance with Air Force Regulations.
Education
Juris Doctor -
Florida Coastal School of Law
Jacksonville, FL01.2005
M.A.T. -
Educational Leadership
Jacksonville University01.1998
B.S. -
Elementary Education
Kansas Newman College01.1993
Skills
- Florida Bar Member
- SHRM, Employee Investigations Specialty
Timeline
Founder and Senior Consultant
Executive Match, LLC
10.2023 - Current
Chief of Staff
Children’s Literacy Initiative
10.2023 - Current
Chief of Staff
Duval County Public Schools
01.2019 - 10.2023
Assistant Superintendent/Chief Human Resource Officer
Duval County Public Schools
04.2012 - 01.2019
Executive Director, Policy and Compliance
Duval County Public Schools
07.2008 - 04.2012
Program Manager, Paralegal Studies
Florida State College of Jacksonville
01.2007 - 01.2008
Assistant Public Defender, Juvenile Division
Office of the Public Defender, 4th Judicial Circuit
01.2006 - 01.2007
Principal
Duval County Public Schools
01.1994 - 01.2005
Information Manager
United States Air Force
01.1989 - 01.1993
Juris Doctor -
Florida Coastal School of Law
M.A.T. -
Educational Leadership
B.S. -
Elementary Education
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