Vickie Cartwright has made history in Broward County. The all-female school board of the state鈥檚 second largest district made the deal official on Thursday, approving a contract that runs through Dec. 31, 2024.
鈥淚t is my great privilege to recognize our new permanent superintendent, the first female superintendent of Broward County Public Schools, Dr. Vickie Cartwright!鈥� Chair Laurie Rich Levinson said as board members applauded.
Cartwright has been BCPS鈥� interim superintendent since August, and was selected earlier this month to become the district鈥檚 permanent leader. After the contract vote, she thanked her family and friends, as well as the board, staff and students of BCPS for their support.
鈥淚鈥檓 very excited for this journey as we continue to build upon the great things that happen here in our school district and to pave new pathways of excellence in our school district for the benefit of our students and our community,鈥� Cartwright said. 鈥淚鈥檓 just very, very grateful.鈥�
Cartwright鈥檚 contract runs shorter and pays less than she had wanted. She鈥檒l make $350,000 a year over nearly three years, with the option to renew. The salary is at the bottom of the range for the job, which listed $350,000鈥�365,000.
Board Member Rosalind Osgood questioned whether there could be a pay disparity in Cartwright鈥檚 salary compared to what male superintendents are making in similar districts. Levinson, who conducted the contract negotiations, said that she researched pay scales in other large urban districts and said 鈥渋t鈥檚 a fair salary whether it鈥檚 a male or a female.鈥�
In neighboring Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Superintendent Jose Dotres is making while Palm Beach County Superintendent Mike Burke is making .
In addition to pay, Cartwright will also receive medical, vision and dental insurance and a vehicle from the district鈥檚 fleet. The district will also pay 7% of her base salary into a tax-sheltered annuity.
Board members decided to remove a clause in the contract that would have required Cartwright to have an annual medical examination to determine if she is 鈥減hysically fit to perform the responsibilities and duties of Superintendent of Schools.鈥�
During public comments, Nathalie Lynch-Walsh, an activist and former board candidate, asked the board to specify in the contract what actions could be taken if the superintendent was arrested. Robert Runcie, the district鈥檚 last superintendent, resigned after being charged with felony perjury.
While board members didn鈥檛 address the issue specifically, under the contract a majority of the board can remove Cartwright from office without cause at any time, with 60 days鈥� notice. If she were to be terminated for cause, her term would end immediately.
