JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Duval County School Board voted 6-1 on Wednesday to approve a contract with a $320,000 base salary for incoming superintendent Dr. Chris Bernier.
Warren Jones was the only board member to vote against the contract. He said he still supports hiring Bernier and but felt the cost of the contract was too high as the district faces financial difficulties.
READ: Bernier’s approved contract
Bernier’s attorney presented the deal to the board over the weekend as their “best and final offer.”
The salary makes Bernier the fifth highest-paid superintendent in the state, in Florida’s fifth largest school district.
School Board Chair Darryl Willie pointed out that leading 10,000 employees is a huge job and the pay needs to reflect that. He also said the contract does not include raises, so the $320,000 a year is locked in for at least four years. The updated contract runs through June 30, 2028.
Several school board members said Wednesday that they were disappointed the final version of the contract didn’t include performance-based pay.
“I think it’s important that this board continue to look at that because we’re giving a contract with no incentive for performance,” board member Dr. Kelly Coker said.
Salaries of Northeast Florida superintendents
| County | Superintendent | Salary (2023-2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Flagler | Lashakia Moore | $170,480 |
| St. Johns | Tim Forson | $174,224 |
| Nassau | Kathy Burns | $147,724 |
| Baker | Sherrie Raulerson | $162,778 |
| Putnam | Rick Surrency | $157,855 |
| Clay | David Broskie | N/A |
Bernier, who previously served as superintendent of Lee County Schools, initially asked for a base salary of $350,000 plus generous perks like a $1,000 monthly car stipend, retirement contributions equal to 25% of his salary, and up to $50,000 a year for a paid mentor.
People took to social media to criticize the high ask, especially as Duval County schools face declining enrollment and a $1.4 billion budget shortfall for building repairs and replacements, and the possibility of closing dozens of schools.
The board came back with an offer of a $280,000 base salary, less than the $300,000 previous superintendent Dr. Diana Greene made. However, they did offer up to $20,000 in performance bonuses.
MORE: New Duval superintendent asks for $350K salary, $1,000 monthly car stipend, $15,000 in ‘transition expenses’ | ‘Ridiculous’: Teachers union leader blasts ‘excessive’ compensation requests by new Duval superintendent | DCPS counters superintendent’s compensation proposal, offers $70K less in yearly pay, no monthly car stipend | School board chair stands behind Duval superintendent selection despite community criticisms
“In normal negotiations, you go back and forth and land, usually somewhere in the middle. And that’s where we did,” Willie said.
There have also been concerns about two federal lawsuits filed concerning Bernier’s last district that name him, as well as a whistleblower complaint from an employee. However, the board members said they haven’t found evidence of wrongdoing, people who have worked with Bernier have good things to say about him, and Bernier said Wednesday morning that he dosen’t think the whistleblower complaint has any factual basis.
He said his focus now is on the work that needs to be done, particularly reversing the trends that are forcing the district to consider closing dozens of schools.
“We have to focus on our financial condition. We have to focus on our school situation and making sure that we make the best-informed decision with the community’s input regarding how we proceed forward,” Bernier said. “And we have to do something about our enrollment. We really have to really look at why our students are leaving and how we can get them back and how we can keep from losing them in the first place.”
The negotiated contract approved Wednesday does not include a bonus, money for a mentor, nor a monthly car stipend, although it does offer Bernier the use of a fleet vehicle or mileage reimbursement up to $15,000.
Both sides also agreed to a reimbursement of up to $15,000 for relocation expenses and an annual contribution of nearly $28,000 to a voluntary retirement account -- down nearly $60,000 from Bernier’s original asking price.
Some in the community are not happy with the choice.
“I am extremely, extremely upset,” Larry Henderson said during the meeting on Wednesday.
Willie addressed the concerns.
“I think we’re in a very politicized time right now. And every topic is going to sort of produce a this or that. And I think there’s opportunity, sometimes there’s more truth, there’s more context. And that’s our job is to go through the fact finding, understand what’s underneath it all. And that’s what we did in this process from the very beginning,” he said.
With the contract now approved, Bernier is set to start as superintendent on July 1.