JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville community members expressed concerns and support for the new Duval County School Board superintendent after learning the incoming district leader is asking for a starting salary of $350,000.
Dr. Chris Bernier’s contract was not on the school board’s agenda at Tuesday’s meeting but that didn’t stop people from mentioning it during public comment.
Days before Bernier’s resignation he was the focus of a whistleblower complaint, according to News4JAX news partner Jax Today. The complaint accuses him of “racially profiling” and “bullying” an employee.
People like Kathleen Murray are happy with the board’s decision.
“There is so much division in our country and as a non-partisan group all we want to be successful as well,” Murray said.
Others like Dr. Nancy Staats feel Bernier shouldn’t have been selected.
“I would hope so. This whistleblower complaint is in addition to two other lawsuits, and they were related to racial profiling and bullying. That is the last thing we need in Duval County. If things are divisive enough, we need a superintendent who can bring us together and get us through this,” Staats said.
Staats said she hoped the school board was not privy to Bernier’s history.
"Maybe we wanted to give him a chance. But this is very disappointing. I think it means they need to reconsider that offer,” she said.