Guest opinion: Browder contract negotiation will save money
There has been recent coverage regarding contract modifications to Dr. Browder’s that may not clearly explain the reasons for the changes and the benefits derived from these changes. The changes in Dr. Browder’s contract saved the district money in both the life insurance provision and the separation clause. The School District had the potential liability of owing Dr. Browder FOUR years of his contract in addition to the cost of an extended litigation. Additionally, the unrest and negative publicity would detract from the main mission – educating the children of Lee County.
The previous language provided the Board with the ability to remove Dr. Browder for “cause.” This term is subjective and actually means “litigation.” Reasonable minds can differ on the standard of “cause” resulting in very long, contentious litigation had the provision not been replaced with more concise language. Lee County is severely backlogged with foreclosure matters, so any litigation in Lee County would easily drag on for nine to 12 months. That is a distraction our county, taxpayers and, most importantly, our children can’t afford.
Detractors of the decision fail to acknowledge that the change in the termination clause makes Lee County School Board members more accountable. The decision to remove Dr. Browder now becomes very transparent to our taxpayers and any Board, current or future, will have to justify the known cost of replacing Dr. Browder. This makes the board accountable in that they have to justify the removal and not just because they don’t like him personally or have issues with any one particular decision. This forces the board to act more like a business when they make decisions regarding the hiring and firing of superintendent. Our business community has advocated for more of this behavior and this is just one of many decisions this board (4-1) have done in this manner.
The changes result in both an actual and potential savings for the taxpayers of Lee County.
– Steven K. Teuber, Lee County School Board, District 4