JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After the Duval County School Board presented a counteroffer for incoming Superintendent Dr. Chris Bernier’s $350,000 salary proposal, the DCPS chair said it’s normal to have back and forth during contract negotiations.
“This is normal contract negotiations. You aim high, like if you’re an individual, and you know you’re not going to get that,” DCPS Board Chair Darryl Willie said.
Bernier asked for a $350,000 base salary, which is the maximum advertised for the position. He also included a performance bonus of $30,000 for a rating of “highly effective” or $25,000 for “effective.”
That bonus would be distributed to his cabinet members at his discretion.
The board’s counter-proposal offered Bernier $280,000 in base salary, which is $5,000 more than the minimum salary advertised. That section also lists that he would be eligible to receive a $5,000 bonus for each $280,000 goal he reaches as part of the board’s Strategic Plan Goals. The maximum Bernier can get in bonus pay is $20,000.
“We know what our last superintendent made. We also are looking across the state to figure out where we are,” Willie said. “We wanted to make sure we’re looking at comparable rates across the state as well as the work that will have to take place here in Duval County.”
Former Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene made $300,000 as a base salary, according to her 2022 contract.
Bernier’s former position was superintendent of Lee County’s school district, which has about 30,000 fewer students.
Willie said DCPS considered that when deciding on his counteroffer.
“You have to consider the size of the district both in the student population, plus the staff population, plus any major challenges slash opportunities that are taking place as well within the district when you’re making these decisions,” Willie said.
Bernier also asked for $1,000 a month for car expenses, $15,000 for moving expenses and $50,000 for a mentor to “further his professional development.”
The district did not meet those requests, saying Bernier could use a district fleet vehicle or receive mileage reimbursement. DCPS also said it does not offer money for mentor expenses.
They did offer the price tag for Bernier’s moving expenses, however.
News4JAX asked Willie about the whistleblower complaint that accused Bernier of racial profiling a former employee and using his positions of power to threaten, intimidate and demean the employee.
Willie said the board was aware of the complaint before choosing him as the district’s next leader.
He said Bernier was upfront about it and offered contact information for the people listed in the complaint.
“We did our due diligence. We went down every path, not only background checks, officially, but also we talked to past board members and past staff, not just from Lee, but also Orange [County] and other places to make sure we saw sort of this thread and what his character was,” Willie said.
Willie hoped the district and Bernier could agree on a contract promptly.
“We’ll have a special board meeting and get that contract signed, and signed off by our full board. And then after that, depending on what date we say [...] There could be an earlier start. And then once that happens he’s ready to come to work and start to really dive in and engage with cabinet members and the community to start to get the job done,” Willie said.
News4JAX requested Bernier’s contract from Lee County Schools. According to his separation agreement, Bernier will remain on the district’s payroll for 20 weeks at his current pay rate of $275,400.