Vickie Cartwright, ex-Oshkosh college superintendent, fired in Florida – Oshkosh Northwestern
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The superintendent of Florida’s second-largest college district — who was beforehand Oshkosh’s college superintendent — was fired after a grand jury report associated to the Parkland college bloodbath.
The Broward County college board voted 5-4 Monday night time to fireside Vickie Cartwright, who has held the place since summer time 2021.
The college district has been embroiled in controversy since a grand jury investigation into the Parkland capturing additionally uncovered unrelated allegations of mismanagement. A former official was charged with contract-rigging, a former superintendent was charged with perjury and 4 college board members had been finally eliminated.
Cartwright served as superintendent of the Oshkosh Space College District for 3 years, resigning in 2021.
Extra:Oshkosh Area School District Superintendent Vickie Cartwright resigns, effective June 30
Individually, audits reported in October of two contracts with long-term distributors — one for commencement caps and robes and one for coaching and schooling administration — discovered that oldsters and the district had been overcharged by some $1.4 million.
Cartwright has incessantly been criticized as failing to repair a district tradition permitting waste and corruption, and the board unanimously reprimanded her in October and gave her 90 days to report on her progress.
All 5 board members voting in opposition to her in Florida’s most Democratic-leaning county had been appointed in August by Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican who has mentioned he needs to prioritize accountability within the county. 4 of these members will likely be gone subsequent week, when they’re changed by board members who gained election this month.
“Dr. Vickie Cartwright is an excellent particular person, however main the nation’s sixth-largest college district requires a hands-on chief and somebody that can make actual change,” Torey Alston, who was elected final week, mentioned in an announcement. “Primarily based on current systemic points, the Board determined to go in a unique route.”
Extra:Oshkosh school board confirms Bryan Davis as district’s next superintendent
Some board members mentioned the movement was unfair since they’d simply requested Cartwright on Oct. 25 to handle an extended record of considerations.
“This motion is impulsive and inappropriate at this second, and I can not assist this,” member Sarah Leonardi mentioned.
Cartwright, who was named interim superintendent in August 2021 and employed completely in February, did not instantly touch upon her firing. Her contract, which fits by late 2024, requires she be given 60 days discover of termination, and she or he’s entitled to $134,600 in severance.
Cartwright’s predecessor, Robert Runcie, resigned in 2021 after perjury prices had been introduced in opposition to him.
Monday’s assembly was publicly marketed, however there was nothing on the agenda suggesting that Cartwright can be fired, the South Florida SunSentinel reported. The newspaper mentioned one public speaker who commonly attends board conferences addressed the problem and supported the dismissal.
The movement to fireside Cartwright got here on the finish of the board’s dialogue of two audits criticizing district practices.
“There are some nice individuals who work for this group, however poisonous conduct continues to occur,” Daniel Foganholi, a DeSantis appointee, mentioned in making the movement. “That is about accountability.”
Throughout a particular assembly Tuesday, the board determined to maintain Cartwright for 60 days, the identical size of time as her termination-notice interval, whereas staffers start a nationwide seek for a brand new superintendent.
Broward’s college district has greater than 270,000 college students at 333 campuses and an annual funds of $4 billion.
Comments are closed.