Make him stay? Make him pay? Or just move on?

Pinellas School Board members may have differing ideas on how to replace outgoing superintendent Clayton Wilcox, but there was one point they all agreed on last week when they met to begin discussing the process: They don't want to spend a lot of money on a national search during such dire financial times. Fair enough.

But it turns out they may be able to conduct a national search without paying a penny.

A clause on Page 5 of Wilcox's contract says that if he leaves the district prior to June 30, he's liable for up to $60,000 toward the cost of finding his replacement, "with said sum being withheld from final salary payments or otherwise paid by the superintendent until the full cost is paid to the board."

It's unclear why that wasn't brought up when the board met Friday. Board member Janet Clark tells the Gradebook she thought that portion of Wilcox's contract had been removed.

Board member Linda Lerner said she knew the clause was there, but that she would be willing to waive it if the superintendent asks the board to consider doing so at its May 13 meeting. "There is no doubt in my mind he would stay through June 30 because he won't want to pay the $60,000," Lerner said. "I think it's in the best interest of the district to not hold him to that extra month."

- Donna Winchester, Pinellas education reporter (Photo from Pinellas school district)

Comments

[parent]

I believe we'd be better off if he leaves now. We don't need him to further mess up. We need to heal and move forward..

[Geisha]

Ridiculous. This is why we need new blood on the board. They should at least squeeze some money out of Wilcox, even if it's 10K. That's why it was in the contract to begin with. So the TAXPAYERS would be protected. Glad there will be new blood on the board.

[Tony]

Make him pay! Why would they waive it? This is not the members money, this is the taxpayers money. Contracts are written for a reason. He asked to be released, release him and uphold the contract. That simple.

[Chuck]

Double his salary and convince him to stay. Think about how bad it was with him and triple it after Mary Brown hires one of her cousins from West Virginia.

[sam]

Without 5 mos required notice Wilcox should pay $60,000 for national search. District in great financial straits due to budget cuts, cost of his new dismantled student assignment plan, adminstrators forced to retire, lowest morale amongst teachers, poorest graduation rates in nation underperforming children. Happy to see him go. Taxpayers can't afford to let him walk away with kids' $60,000.

[Mr. G.]

*let him go and take the 60k to find another replacement - also get rid of anyone who was responsible for hiring him - pinellas county schools are a joke (unless you attend Palm Harbor U or St Pete High) - the schools, admin., and curriculum are terrible.....i have taught in several states and other countries and Pinellas Schools is by far the worst in teacher and student support.

[parent]

Absolutely get the $$ and say bye bye now.. NOT June but nowwwwwwwwwwww.

[Louise]

Withhold the $60,000. and send him packing TODAY! Get someone from the District to replace him and SAVE the $60,000!

How'd that national search work out for you last time?

[parent]

I'd love to see him gone and have him pay the $60,000.00 per his contract. He signed it, he should pay it. The district obviously needs the money since they are cutting everything, especially busing.

The school board members need to start thinking in terms of what is in the best interest of our district's taxpayers and parents as opposed to what is in Dr. Wilcox's best interest. He requested to leave early, the board did not ask him to leave. As a result, he should pay the full amount, up to $60,000, to conduct a national search.

Mr. Common Sense

[Chip]

It's nice to know Linda Lerner is so cavalier with taxpayers' money. Sure, waive the $60,000...but have each of the board members contribute $10K to reimburse the district. This way, everybody wins. Clayton Wilcox can leave at his leisure without the worry of missing out on some extra spending money, Ms. Lerner isn't bothered by him hanging around until June 30th, the board members get to fulfill an opportunity to "give back to the community," and a $60,000 budget shortfall is averted.

[Vic]

Can our current school board PULEEEZZZEE leave when Wilcox does?!!We need to get rid of the whole idiotic bunch and get REAL educators on that board;people who do not pontificate just for the pleasure of hearing their own voices.We need a school board that will acually work for the SCHOOL SYSTEM;not to advance some political agenda of their own.We need a school board that WORKS together,for the good of STUDENTS.

[Lin]

It would be better for the board and the school district for Clayton Wilcox to go immediately before he messes things up more. But if the board hadn't rushed into hiring Wilcox they might have found a better qualified candidate who would have stuck around and done a better job at solving problems in the schools. Hopefully the board will do a better job at picking the next superintendent. If memory serves, board member Linda Lerner did want to explore other candidates at the time, but was outvoted.

[teacher in Hillsborough]

Get that 60K and hire two teachers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rodger]

I wouldnt let this clown out on paying what his contract says to pay and the school year is over by june 15th and working on next year. BE SURE HE IS GONE BY THE 30TH AND BE SURE TO GET EVERY PENNY OWED FROM HIM.

[Dan]

C'mon. None of you people called for this clown's exit until he resigned. You sound bitter and scorned. Sure they should make him pay, but remember he is bailing because Florida's school budget is crumbling and he's getting out. Others will too, we are just fortunate this one is such a poor excuse for an administrator. Maybe we'll luck out next time.

[HS & MS Parent]

I heard from a friend that all district employees are facing a 2% payCUT for next year......how can this school board possibly think it fair to take money away from employees, but let Wilcox keep the $60K?
Can you say DUH?!

[JD]

Dan:
What do you mean. Teacher morale was never so low after the onset of Wilcox.
There was a countywide sigh of releif and then an ALLELUIA when we heard Wilcox resigned.

He didn't want to go down with the ship he sunk.
Fluff

[PCSB Teacher]

Make him pay, they would make a teacher pay up if it was in their contract.

A clause on Page 5 of Wilcox's contract says that if he leaves the district prior to June 30, he's liable for up to $60,000 toward the cost of finding his replacement,

THANKS FOR TRYING MARY RUSSELL!!!