Dr. Ken Savage

Dr. Kenneth Savage, the chief strategy officer for the School District of Lee County, was sworn into office Tuesday as the new interim superintendent after the school board voted on a separation agreement with Dr. Christopher Bernier on Monday.

After the oath of office with Honorable John S. Carlin, Savage began his remarks by “giving all glory to my creator.”

“I want to thank my family who has been there to support me — both my family and my wife’s family — and also my children who give me the inspiration. That is what the work is all about, not just my family, my family’s children, every other child, and family out there depending on the decisions we make every day. That is the true north of so many people sitting in this room. I want to thank the board. What a tremendous opportunity of trust that you have given to me to do this — the second time around,” he said. “I am so grateful for your faith, not just me, but the team we have assembled at this district office.”

Savage said there are teachers out there doing the work they do, changing the lives of the kids that come into the buildings every day.

“They are doing the work that really matters. All the different support systems we have all work in concert for that magical opportunity to change the lives of these kids in this community and then transform the community,” Savage said, adding that it is an awesome privilege to carry the baton for the next seven months. “Thank you for the support. I am looking forward to the work ahead in making the system the best it possibly can for every student that comes into our buildings.”

Savage also said he is grateful for Bernier’s work and the effort he made to get to know everybody.

Savage, who was the interim superintendent after Dr. Greg Adkins retired in 2021, will have a salary of $210,700. His previous interim superintendent salary was $209,000. In addition, the board will contribute at “each end of the month payroll an amount equal to 15% of the superintendent’s then current month base salary.” The board “shall reimburse the superintendent up to $2,400 towards the cost of the life insurance policy.”

“I am very confident in what you accomplished and excited to move forward with a new day and new superintendent,” Board member Melisa Giovannelli said of the contract.

Savage will fill the role as the interim superintendent until a new superintendent is elected by the voters in November.

Savage received his bachelor’s degree in May 2001 from Florida State University in education, his master’s degree in August 2006 and his Ed. D in May 2019 from the University of Florida in educational leadership.

Savage has been the chief operations officer for the district, as well as a school hybrid leadership turnaround principal lead from July 2016 to June 2018 and a school principal and assistant school principal from June 2006 to June 2016.

He was also an adjunct professor for the University of Florida from August to December 2019 and a state level executive for the Office of the Chancellor K-12 public schools for the Florida Department of Education from June 2018 to June 2019.