When Dr. Brennan Asplen stepped into his new role as superintendent of St Johns County Schools, he did so with a clear and deliberate vision. In a recent conversation, what struck me most was how consistently he returned to a few core themes: climate and culture, communication, academics and career preparation, the role of artificial intelligence, and above all, safety.
Building a Climate and Culture for Success
For Dr. Asplen, the foundation of a successful school district begins with people. “One is retention of employees, retention of teachers, retention of support employees,” he explained. “We need to look at our climate, our culture—what does that look like as far as being welcoming, belonging?”
That culture of belonging must be balanced with a commitment to safety, which he described as “paramount.” While acknowledging the need for secure campuses, Dr. Asplen stressed the importance of keeping school environments warm and inviting. “We have hardened our buildings so much that you walk in and it’s not pleasant,” he noted. “Think about how you can make your lobby a very pleasant place to enter. Do you have student art up on the walls? Do you have a coffee stand or cookies every day? When people walk in, it’s uplifting. It’s welcoming.”
The Power of Communication
With more than 53,000 students, effective communication is another top priority. Families today expect to hear from schools through a variety of channels—social media, podcasts, videos, and town halls. “When we were giving presentations to let people know about the referendum, just giving the community information created so many ‘aha’ moments,” Dr. Asplen recalled. “It wasn’t marketing, it was communicating.”
This distinction matters. Communication, he understands, is not about spin—it is about building trust and understanding.
Rethinking Academics
Though St. Johns has long been recognized for academic excellence, Dr. Asplen is asking how “academics” should be viewed for tomorrow’s students. The traditional “three R’s” remain critical, but he sees equal value in preparing students with career skills and a documented plan for life after graduation.
“There were quite a few [graduates]—electricians, HVAC, plumbing, a lot of different trades—which is notable,” he shared. “We need to continue to push that as well.” The goal, he said, is that every student leaves high school with direction, whether that path is college, career, or the trades.
Embracing Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is another area where Dr. Asplen sees both opportunity and responsibility. “There’s going to be a time in probably the next five years that you have to know how to work through AI,” he said. For teachers, AI is already proving to be a valuable tool. “They’re using it to help them with their work, which is saving them a lot of time to be able to do other things,” he explained. “They’re able to collaborate more and put their lessons together and teach at a higher level.”
For students, the emphasis is on using AI responsibly. “The research piece is critical for them to utilize,” he said. “We want them to write on their own…we want them to have critical thinking, utilizing this, be able to think critically, but write their own work.”
Looking Ahead to 2035
When asked to look ten years into the future, Dr. Asplen pointed out that students who will graduate in 2035 are in the second or third grade today. “The parents of the elementary kids need to understand that in 10 years, the world is going to be so different. All the jobs are going to be different,” he said.
While no one can predict exactly what that world will look like, he believes the emphasis must be on equipping students with the skills that will endure. “Working as a team, project-based type of thing is definitely something that needs to happen,” he noted. “Collaboration.”
Leading with Vision
As superintendent, Dr. Asplen’s challenge is steering the district through rapid change while keeping relationships and community at the heart of education. Yet his vision is hopeful: that St. Johns County Schools will remain not only a place of safety and learning, but also of belonging and growth.
“The world our students will inherit is going to look very different,” he reflected. “But if we keep them focused on collaboration, critical thinking, and relationships, they’ll be ready for whatever comes next.”
For parents, that message is both reassuring and inspiring. Our schools are not standing still—they are preparing children to thrive in a future we can’t fully see, but one where skills of connection, curiosity, and resilience will matter most.
