INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — After more than a month of negotiations, the Indian River County School Board and its Superintendent-select appear ready to sign a 3-year contract. The final vote is expected at the May 12 School Board meeting.
Dr. Mark Rendell, currently the deputy superintendent of the St. Lucie County School District, would be expected to start working for the Indian River County School District in June. Superintendent Dr. Fran Adams retires on June 30.
During the overlap, Dr. Rendell will be considered a “consultant” for the Indian River County School District.
In order to get Dr. Rendell to sign off on starting in June, the School District agreed to cover one month’s insurance on COBRA for Dr. Rendell and his family at a cost of $1,662.
Under the contract, Dr. Rendell’s salary would be $160,000 and he would receive a $3,000 allowance to be used for civic and community involvement, including paying membership fees to join various groups.
School Board Chair Matt McCain, who has been handling the negotiations on behalf of the Board, told his fellow Board members that after their last meeting was reported in the local news, he received a phone call from Dr. Rendell.
McCain recounted what Dr. Rendell’s told him, “I’m fine with the contract.” He added that Dr. Rendell also explained that he was just making sure he was protected.
Without any more proposed changes to the contract and with the Board’s agreement on the COBRA coverage, they agreed to place the contract on the Board’s agenda for their next business meeting.
“Put it on,” Board member Charles Searcy said. “We need to get this thing done.”
Board member Shawn Frost agreed. “I think we’re there,” he said.
Board member Claudia Jimenez also voiced support for taking the contract to a vote.
Board member Dale Simchick was not able to make the Tuesday afternoon meeting but sent an email to the Board’s attorney stating that she was comfortable with the COBRA insurance coverage request and the June 1 start date.
School Board Attorney Suzanne D’Agresta told the Board that both she and Dr. Rendell’s attorney have signed off on the contract as presented.
