Dr. Brennan Asplen has officially been named the next superintendent of St. Johns County Schools.
The announcement came Tuesday morning after the school board selected him from a pool of four finalists following a months-long search.
Asplen is a familiar face in St. Johns County, previously serving as the district’s deputy superintendent from 2015 to 2020.
During that time, he played a central role in curriculum planning, school operations, and district-wide leadership.
In 2020, Asplen departed to become superintendent of Sarasota County Schools.
His time there came to an early end in late 2022 following political tensions with a newly elected school board majority who cast Asplen as insufficiently conservative, a charge he rejected.
Asplen reached a mutual separation agreement and returned to St. Johns County in 2023, taking on the role of deputy superintendent of operations.
His return has been viewed positively by many in the community and within the school system. Colleagues and school board members praised his steady leadership, institutional savvy, and understanding of local educational needs.
The St. Johns County School Board conducted final interviews with the four superintendent candidates on May 13, 2025, and made their decision Tuesday.
The other finalists were:
- Dr. Kyle Dresback, regional superintendent for secondary and alternative schools in St. Johns County. Dresback has extensive experience in the district and was seen as a strong internal candidate.
- Scott Schneider, chief of schools for Duval County Public Schools. Schneider previously served as a principal and executive director in Duval and brought an urban district perspective to the finalist group.
- Dr. Marianne Simon, regional superintendent for Duval County Public Schools. Simon has a background in curriculum and instruction and experience leading at the district level.
The board launched the search in early 2025 after longtime superintendent Tim Forson announced his retirement. Forson has led the district since 2017 and worked in St. Johns County schools for more than four decades. He will officially step down on June 30.
Asplen will begin his new role on or before July 1, 2025.
St. Johns County remains one of the fastest-growing school districts in Florida. With rising enrollment, new school construction, and shifting academic priorities, Asplen will face a slew of challenges from day one.
“I’m honored and excited to come back into this role,” Asplen said following the announcement. “St. Johns is a special place. I look forward to working with the board, our teachers, our families, and our students to continue the district’s tradition of excellence.”
