The school board and new interim school superintendent Susan Moxley have agreed to the terms of her contract.
She will be paid at a rate of $161,000 per year, the same salary as outgoing superintendent Mark Rendell, and will receive free use of a vehicle and cell phone while working for the district.
Moxley, a Palm Coast resident who is expected to serve in the interim position for six to 12 months while the school board seeks a permanent superintendent, told the board that she was aware of the district’s current financial problems, and will pay for her own relocation and housing. She also declined the district’s insurance coverage, because she already has coverage.
Moxley’s decision to pay for her own relocation, housing and insurance will save the district about $60,000, according to School Board Chairman Laura Zorc.
The board unanimously approved Moxley’s hiring and contract during board meetings on May 13 and 14 after reviewing dozens of resumes and interviewing Moxley and two other finalists.
Board members were impressed that Moxley had researched the district extensively and arrived at her interview with a proposed 90-day action plan to get the district through the summer.
Moxley started work on Wednesday, May 22 and will officially become interim superintendent on Saturday, May 25, the day after Rendell departs.
“I’m pleased to see that she is coming into the district with the support of the full board,” Board Chairman Laura Zorc said. “We’re all looking forward to working with her.
“She’s very experienced in the areas we need to make this a smooth transition.”
I’m looking forward to working with the School Board and everyone in the district,” Moxley said. “There has been a lot of (staff) turnaround,” she added, referring to the high number of teachers who have left the district in recent years. “We need to rebuild trust in the district, develop better continuity and get everyone back on the same page.”
Moxley, who has 35 years of experience as an educator, served for nine years as Lake County’s schools superintendent before retiring in 2017. She said she applied for the interim job here because she remains “very passionate about public education” and believed her “talent and experience” could help our district bridge the gap between Rendell and his successor.
“Having been a superintendent in Florida for a number of years, I know the system here,” she said, “so the only learning curve is getting to know Indian River County.”
Moxley was one of 48 candidates who applied for the interim position, which was posted for only one week. The job attracted candidates from around the country and the board worked quickly and effectively to review dozens of resumes and zero in on the top candidates.
The need for an interim superintendent became urgent after Rendell submitted his 30-day resignation notice on April 24. Florida school districts are required by state law to have an interim or permanent superintendent in place at all times.
Rendell, who has served as superintendent for four years, is leaving to become principal at Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High School in Brevard County.
