INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Indian River County School Board met for a third time to hash out the details of a lengthy contract for hiring its superintendent-select, Dr. Mark Rendell, but the Board has yet to reach agreement with the hire-to-be.
The currently 22-page contract calls for a salary of $160,000 plus benefits, including at least $3,000 for civic and community relations – ie, membership dues and luncheons to name a couple.
Dr. Rendell, through his hired attorney Tom Gonzalez – who represents the Hillsborough County School Board – requested a number of changes to the contract, some of which prompted questions from the School Board.
Certain provisions were removed, others were merged, and some “may” clauses were turned to “shall”.
The School Board asked its own attorney, Suzanne D’Agresta, to reach out to Gonzalez to get clarification on a few points and report back.
D’Agresta is expected to revise the contract, which will then be sent back to Dr. Rendell for his review. If he accepts it as is, the School Board could possibly take a vote on the employment agreement before the end of May.
If, however, Dr. Rendell proposes further changes to the contract, the Board will have to meet again to review the proposal and decide whether or not to accept the changes, which could push out a vote on the contract even later.
As it is, Dr. Rendell has told School Board Chair Matt McCain that he cannot begin working with the Indian River County School District on June 1, which the Board had originally requested.
Schools Superintendent Dr. Fran Adams retires on June 30. Dr. Rendell said he could serve as a “consultant” prior to Dr. Adams’ last day, but could only commit to 11 business days as he is continuing to work with the St. Lucie County School District until his first day as Indian River County Schools Superintendent.