JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The News4JAX I-TEAM has obtained the results of an investigation of Duval County’s top educator that found Dr. Chris Bernier was disrespectful and even “dehumanizing” to members of his staff at his last job.
Dr. Bernier became superintendent of Duval County Public Schools this summer, while he was still under investigation by the School District of Lee County, in southwest Florida. Bernier resigned as superintendent there in April.
RELATED | Newly sworn-in DCPS superintendent says safety is ‘paramount’ as school board approves $1.4M misconduct settlement | ‘There are some challenges’: New DCPS superintendent answers questions as school year gets underway
The investigation probed allegations of bullying, racial discrimination, and claims of making derogatory comments against women. Most of the claims were not substantiated, but the report did uncover troubling evidence detailing how Bernier treated some of his subordinates and one cabinet member in particular.
School board members in Duval County were aware of the investigation and looked into it as they were searching for a new superintendent, and the board still felt Bernier was right for the job.
According to the 19-page investigative report prepared by a Tampa-based law firm, “...the evidence substantiates that Dr. Bernier often spoke to [his chief operating officer, who News4JAX is not naming] using profanity and in ways witnesses described as ‘dehumanizing,’ ‘insulting,’ ‘loud,’ and disrespectful’... “imped[ing] his ability to perform his duties, and “making it difficult for [him] to meet his expectations through the creation of unreasonable deadlines.”
The report says, “The evidence establishes that Dr. Bernier treated some other employees in a similar manner.”
The School District of Lee County commissioned the report after receiving two complaints against Bernier in early April, one made anonymously, and one made by the district’s chief operating officer.
The investigation does not substantiate anonymous reports of Dr. Bernier using disparaging language when referring to two different female employees.
The report also does not substantiate the COO’s claims of racial discrimination, but it did find “Dr. Bernier raised his voice, used profanity, and spoke to [the COO] in an insulting manner which caused [him] to become intimidated and embarrassed.”
The investigator interviewed 22 people, the report says, including 18 district employees, and two former district employees. They tried to interview Bernier, the report says, with the investigator reporting Bernier offered to provide written answers to questions, but his counsel became nonresponsive when they insisted on a real-time video or phone interview, which is how the other interviews were conducted.
MORE | New DCPS superintendent’s abrupt departure from previous district followed whistleblower complaint: report | New DCPS superintendent addresses controversial guardian program he implemented in previous role
The report notes a few people believed the COO was not performing at the “level expected” and that “three witnesses interviewed denied observing Dr. Bernier subjecting them or other employees to behavior they felt was unacceptable. However, each of them described Dr. Bernier as having a firm leadership style, and they each shared information about Dr. Bernier’s demeanor that is consistent with the behaviors described by multiple employees.”
The I-TEAM reached out to Duval County Public Schools about the report. A spokesperson responded with the following statement:
“The report clears Dr. Bernier of the most serious allegations pressed against him by a cabinet-level officer in Lee County. Dr. Bernier acknowledges that the report reflects areas in which he can improve, particularly with interpersonal interactions with senior leaders. He is committed to that improvement.
Dr. Bernier was forthright with the board about this investigation, and some board members had conversations with School district of Lee County personnel directly involved in the situation there prior to hiring Dr. Bernier. Dr. Bernier is off to a great start here in Duval.”
DCPS spokesperson
The report also shows Dr. Bernier’s decision to resign as superintendent in Lee County shortly after learning of the complaints against him was voluntary. It notes Bernier had previously made it known that he was not planning on running for superintendent in Lee County after the position was converted from an appointed job to an elected position.