Lee County School Board working to bring new superintendent onboard
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The School Board of Lee County discussed Monday on how the next several months will pan out as the district works to bring a new superintendent onboard.
Board member Cathleen O’Daniel Morgan said they need a means by which they can interact with their selection, Dr. Christopher Bernier, between now and when he is sworn in as the next superintendent.
"The board attorney and chair should come back to us within seven calendar days on how will we provide an opportunity for Dr. Bernier to engage with us on a formal basis," she said. "The recommendation can be part of the overall contract, or as a separate contract. How are we going to interact with Dr. Bernier and that has to be done with a legal way."
Board Attorney Kathy Dupuy-Bruno said Bernier's time frame is not immediate as he has to wrap up things with his current district Clark County School District in Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as in his personal life.
"It is going to take a couple of months before he really can completely get involved," she said. "Dr. Bernier is working on a transitional plan. He has indicated he has some thoughts."
Dupuy-Bruno said he wants to start going through the cabinet via Zoom, as well as meeting other staff in the same fashion. He wants to present his plan to the board.
"In order to do that, what is the legal connection that allows him to speak with staff and come on board," she said
The board took a consensus that they would like Dupuy-Bruno and Board Chair Debbie Jordan to speak with Bernier to discuss options to serve as a consultant until such time the final contract is approved by the board and he is sworn in as the new superintendent.
"He is not really working as a consultant… looking for a legal standing to be able to talk to staff. In the interim, you have already agreed that this is going to be your superintendent," Dupuy-Bruno said.
Board member Gwyn Gittens she had concerns with bringing Bernier on as a consultant, as she believes there should be a permanent contract in place first.
"We would have to be very careful to separate the two," she said. "As a consultant, what are we working on? On a contract, what are we working on? My concern is overlapping that… decisions as a consultant, while his contract is being done. We get a contract to solidify we have a new superintendent."
Jordan said Bernier would not be making decisions as a consultant. Rather it would give him the ability to come into the district and familiarize himself with staff, chiefs and the board.
Board member Mary Fischer said if Bernier would work as a consultant he would communicate freely and confidentially with Superintendent Dr. Ken Savage, as well as the board. She said they do consultant contracts all the time.
"If he is not going to be here for a couple of months and is working on an entry plan (this) gives him the opportunity to present that, too," she said.
Dupuy-Bruno said she will continue working with Bernier and his representative on a permanent contract, as he has already submitted some requests.
She said Savage will remain superintendent until Bernier is sworn in, which would then be his first day as the new top administrator.
"We can do a good contract and negotiate well to have that in place of when he starts," she said.