JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — UPDATE 9:50 a.m.- The School Board voted 6-1 to approve Bernier’s $320,000 contract. Warren Jones with District 5 was the only dissenting vote. Performance pay and incentives weren’t included in the final contract.
The contract for Duval County Public Schools’ incoming superintendent is up for approval from the school board.
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According to the proposed contract, the district agreed to a $320,000 salary for Dr. Christopher Bernier. He will also get expenses, benefits and the use of a school district car.
Action News Jax has been looking into Dr. Bernier’s salary since a draft proposal was sent to the district. Dr. Bernier wanted to be paid $350,000 for the job, but the district counter-offered his proposal.
Read: Dr. Christopher Bernier proposes $350,000 contract, negotiations with DCPS continue
Initially, the school board offered Bernier $280,000. For reference, Bernier was making $275,000 before he quit his job as superintendent for Lee County Schools.
His predecessor, Dr. Diana Greene, made $300,000 after the board approved a 10% raise for her back in 2022. However, it didn’t come without some hesitation from board members.
“I have a real issue with increasing the salary, especially when we have the employment issues we do,” DCPS Board Member Charlotte Joyce said.
The special meeting where the board is expected to approve Dr. Bernier’s contract starts at 9 a.m. on Wednesday.
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