We'll be covering this afternoon's special meeting at the Palm Beach County School District re: Superintendent Art Johnson. Follow me here!
Just spoke with Laura Green from the Palm Beach Post about P.B. School Board's options re: Superintendent Art Johnson. More at 5.
Dr. Barbieri says no action will be taken until 5, but proposals will be discussed by board... Public will be offered speaking slots at 5
Says supt has not asked investigation to end as part of any agreement to leave office
Dr. Barbieri says there are two proposals on table for Johnson to leave... Board will discuss shortly
Top Johnson supporter on board pushing for public to speak now
Board chair Frank Barbieri talks about proposals re: Art Johnson.
Proposal 1: Johnson fired today. Proposal 2: Johnson fired three months from Friday
1st proposal - remain as sup't. under contract, working cooperatively with board.
Also under agreement, possible separation agreement.
2nd proposal: Johnson would resign Friday, Feb. 18. 5pm.
Board now reviewing Johnson's proposal for severance.
Johnson is seeking a release from the board.
Johnson stands to collect 115k in sick time, 43k in vacation time
Johnson requests 90 days notice, termination w/o cause, $10 thousand retirement payment, $30,250 in healthcare benefits
Both proposals are still under wraps, for boards eyes only. Press can't see them until 5P meeting starts, when they become public record
Johnson also requests 6 months severance provision of $300 thousand and approx. $158 thousand lump sum for vacation & sick time.
Under one agreement, hed work till Friday but stay on payroll for three mos... Second agreement has payment made in one lump sum
Sounds like question is whether board wants to pay 300 some odd thousand now or later
Board looking at "permanently severing" relationship with Johnson.
These figures are part of today's proposal from Johnson's representative given to the school board.
Art Johnson says he uses two attorneys to negotiate
There is also likely going to be a question of how much health care coverage Johnson is entitled to
Dr Robinson says she won't support the separation agreement that Johnson's reps advocated
Board member Marcia Andrews says she will not agree to Johnson's terms.
Dr Benaim says he wants a clearer comparison of what's in each agreement... I agree... Information is scattered and hard to follow bt 2 optn
OK, think I've got it. Prop 1, Johnson gets: 150k in severance, 75 for 90 days notice, 43 in vac time, 115 in sick time... Health ins a ? mk
Under Dr. Robinson's plan, Johnson would get 90 days notice including $75K in pay, 6 mos sev. - $150K & annual/sick leave - $158K
Johnson supporter, Monroe Benaim, getting snippy with legal counsel, drew ohhs from audience after snarky "I didn't ask" comment
Robinson wants to part ways "peacefully." Says Johnson's demands are "give me more, give me more, give me more."
Robinson says Johnson's contract lays out what he's entitled to; if he wants something different, "he needs to give something up."
Dr Robinson essentially calls Johnson's prop for a lump sum of more than 300k up front "greedy."
Marcia Andrews suggests that board's agreement is only one legitimate, says Johnson's proposal may be invalid because of legal language
Jennifer Prior Brown: "doesn't the contract itself spell out his (Johnson's) separation terms?"
Board asking whether they even need an agreement because terms of separation are already spelled out
Benaim says board could save 46k by termimating without a side agreement..