JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It appears the Duval County School Board and the incoming superintendent have compromised on a contract.
Following negotiations over the weekend, the district is now offering Dr. Chris Bernier a base salary of $320,000, but without many of the perks the incoming superintendent originally asked for.
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The board will vote on the proposed contract at a special meeting Wednesday.
Board member Warren Jones told News4JAX on Monday the majority of the board agrees with the proposed base salary, which he said was presented by Bernier’s attorney over the weekend as their “best and final offer.”
The salary would make Bernier the fifth highest-paid superintendent in the state, in Florida’s fifth largest school district. But School Board Chair Darryl Willie pointed out 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.
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 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.
“In normal negotiations, you go back and forth and land, usually somewhere in the middle. And that’s where we did,” School Board Chairman Darryl Willie said.
The negotiated contract set to go to a vote 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.