1020 - EMPLOYMENT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT

1. In accordance with State law, the Superintendent is the secretary and executive officer of the Board. State law further assigns to the Superintendent specific powers, duties, and responsibilities related to the oversight and operation of the District. The appointment of that officer is, therefore, one of the most important functions the Board can perform.
2. Whenever the position of Superintendent shall be vacant, the Board shall actively seek the best qualified and most capable candidate for the position of District Superintendent.
3. The Board may be aided in this task by:
    
   1. a committee of Board members;
   2. the services of professional consultants;
   3. the counsel of the out-going Superintendent;
   4. the participation of members of the community.
4. Recruitment procedures shall be prepared in advance of the search and shall include the following:
    
   1. the preparation of a written job description for the position of Superintendent
   2. preparation of written specifications of qualifications in addition to proper State licensing
   3. preparation of informative material describing this District and its educational goals
   4. where feasible, the opportunity for applicants to visit the schools of this District
   5. the requirement that each selected candidate for the position be interviewed by Board members in a format that encourages him/her to express his/her educational philosophy
   6. solicitation of applications from a wide geographical area
   7. consideration of all applicants fairly without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race (including anti-Semitism [as defined in Bylaw 0100]), ethnicity, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation, transgender status, or gender identity), disability (including HIV, AIDS, or sickle cell trait), pregnancy, marital status, age (except as authorized by law),  religion, military status, ancestry, or genetic information, which are classes protected by State and/or Federal law (collectively, “protected classes”). No person may be employed as Superintendent of this District unless they have signed an employment agreement with the Board.
5. Pursuant to State law, the Superintendent is not subject to the provisions of law, either general or special, relating to tenure of employment or contracts of other school personnel.
6. The Board shall enter into an employment contract with the Superintendent, which shall require the Superintendent to exercise all powers, duties, and responsibilities set forth in State law, State Board rule, and Board policy. The contract of employment shall also establish a reasonable salary for the position, taking into account the factors set forth in State law. If the contract contains a provision for severance pay, it must include the provisions required by F.S. 215.425.
7. Notwithstanding any other law, resolution, or rule to the contrary, the Superintendent may not receive more than $225,000 in remuneration annually from state funds. "Remuneration” means salary, bonuses, and cash-equivalent compensation paid to the Superintendent by the Board for work performed, excluding health insurance benefits and retirement benefits. Only compensation, as defined in F.S. 121.021, provided to the Superintendent, may be used in calculating benefits under F.S. Chapter 121.
8. Any salary adjustments or supplements that would constitute bonuses must be based upon work performance and in accordance with Florida law. The determination of such bonus must include a process that describes performance standards and an evaluation process consistent with Policy 1220.
   
   The contract shall also include:
    
   1. the term for which employment is contracted, including beginning and ending dates;
   2. the benefits to which s/he is entitled;
   3. such other matters as may be necessary to a full and complete understanding of the employment contract.
9. The Superintendent so appointed shall devote himself/herself exclusively to the duties of his/her office and maintain his/her principal residence within the District, unless otherwise approved by the Board.
10. Any candidate's intentional misstatement of fact material to his/her qualification for employment or the determination of his/her salary shall be considered by this Board to constitute grounds for his/her dismissal.
11. The person selected for the position of superintendent shall be required to undergo a physical examination reasonably related to the duties s/he will be required to perform, the cost of which shall be borne by the candidate.

Revised 10/10/23

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