Duval County

Duval School Board approves Diana Greene’s separation agreement from district with 4-3 vote

By ActionNewsJax.com News Staff
By ActionNewsJax.com News Staff

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Duval County School Board approved Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene’s retirement agreement with a 4-3 vote an emergency meeting Tuesday afternoon.

It comes two years before her contract was set to expire in 2025.

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The Office of General Counsel brought the agreement before the school board. We previously told you that the same office was negotiating a separation agreement with Greene’s attorney Hank Coxe.

This all stems from a third-party investigation into Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, and concerns from the Florida Department of Education about a delay in reporting teacher misconduct.

Before the board voted, many people spoke in support of Greene while others argued it was time to hold Greene accountable.

“We want every person responsible held to account. This is the first step of regaining trust,” Becky Nathanson of Moms for Liberty said.

RELATED: New documents reveal former Douglas Anderson teacher had several complaints prior to recent arrest

“This is a distraction and not in the best interest of the students. This is a calculated, coordinated attack on superintendent,” Katie Hathaway of Moms Demand Action said.

From parents to board members, not everyone agreed on the decision.

“We’re here because a Governor wants a superintendent removed. Look at how many have been removed statewide. How do we know that report was not biased?” board member Warren Jones said of a grand jury report on Duval County School Police under-reporting crimes.

RELATED: DCPS Board to hold emergency meeting on Superintendent’s contract, Douglas Anderson investigation

“Perhaps we have an administration that is holding people accountable. It does not mean it’s a witch-hunt. It means we have to hold people accountable,” board member April Carney said.

“Retirement is a smooth and easy process. Obviously, things are happening behind closed doors. The fact that we have 15 minutes to discuss it is very troubling,” school board member Darryl Willie said, referring to the 15-minute recess that board members had to review the retirement agreement.

“I have dug in to and honest to God I wish I could only point fingers at past leadership. But under my watch, I can not let this go any further without conversation,” board member Lori Hershey said.

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But Board Chair Kelly Coker said she’s had meetings with Greene about retirement more than two weeks ago before the back and forth with the state.

“You’re hearing a lot of emotion from all of us,” Coker said.

Greene’s last day of work for the district will now be June 2, then she is on leave until her balance is exhausted.

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According to the separation agreement, Greene’s retirement date is July 24 and her severance payment would be $114,942.53, which is 20 weeks of her current base rate of pay, plus $20,015.22 of sick leave payout.

Greene’s contract was the first item on the agenda for the emergency meeting. With the board’s acceptance of the agreement, Duval County School Board members then discussed a new, temporary superintendent to step in after Greene leaves in July.

The board voted 7-0 to table the discussion of a new, temporary superintendent to its next meeting on May 16.

READ GREENE’S SEPARATION AND RETIREMENT AGREEMENT THAT WAS GIVEN TO THE SCHOOL BOARD:

Dr. Diana Greene separation agreement from DCPS by ActionNewsJax on Scribd

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