Introduction to Referendum Bonuses
The highest-paid administrators in Broward schools will no longer receive bonuses of up to $14,000 from a referendum that was intended to help teachers and staff members afford to live in South Florida.
The School Board also agreed to ask the district’s chief auditor to investigate why the most senior employees were added in 2024 to the pool of employees who qualified for dollars from a referendum Broward voters approved in August 2022.
Background of the Referendum
A district spokesman had said the School Board took action in July 2024 that led to the payouts, but board members say they never intended to approve these payments and had received incomplete information from district staff. Board members also agreed to contact the Broward Inspector General’s Office, which the district is contracted with, to investigate any potential fraud, waste or mismanagement.
Investigation and Next Steps
But they didn’t want to rely solely on that office, saying the office doesn’t provide a timeline for completing any investigations. Board members hope to ask Broward voters to renew the referendum in November, and they say they need to fix anything that went wrong. Board members asked the chief auditor’s office to complete the review, or at least share initial findings, by the end of January.
Impact on Employees
The change will affect about 40 employees who had received supplements ranging from about $7,500 to $14,185, district officials said. The employees had been receiving the payments spread out over 20 paychecks a year, and they will not have to repay money already received, officials said. The change will save the district about $500,000 over the next 18 months, officials said.
Reaction from the Community
Many voiced outrage after the Sun Sentinel published an article about the supplements on Jan. 3. “When voters approved the money, teachers were to be the main beneficiaries of these funds, so they could have some hope of making ends meet with their insufficient base salary,” Trudy Jermanovich, a retired teacher, told the School Board. “I believe that the board must do all it can to write this wrong. And this may mean that some staff members need to be changed or terminated.”
Previous Decisions and Contracts
The board first voted in a meeting in August 2023 on how to allocate the supplements for employees. Teachers were given supplements ranging from $500 to $12,000, while principals, assistant principals and most non-managers were allocated 5.5% of their base salaries. The agreement approved by the board specifically said it would be for employees who were at the director level or below.
Change in Policy
But when referendum supplements for these employees came up again in July 2024, the language had been changed to say all eligible ESMAB employees would get the supplements, without specifically explaining that this meant expanding it to the highest-paid employees. The board agreed to extend the 5.5% referendums for three years. Tuesday’s action returns the school district to what the School Board first approved in 2023.
Conclusion
The decision to end referendum bonuses for the highest-paid Broward school staff is a step in the right direction. The School Board’s actions demonstrate a commitment to transparency and accountability, and a focus on using referendum funds for their intended purpose: supporting teachers and staff who have a direct impact on students.
FAQs
Q: Who will be affected by the change in referendum bonuses?
A: About 40 employees who had received supplements ranging from $7,500 to $14,185 will no longer receive these bonuses.
Q: Why did the School Board decide to end the bonuses for high-paid staff?
A: The board determined that the bonuses were not in line with the original intent of the referendum, which was to support teachers and staff who have a direct impact on students.
Q: Will the employees who received the bonuses have to repay the money?
A: No, the employees will not have to repay the money they already received.
Q: How much will the change save the district?
A: The change will save the district about $500,000 over the next 18 months.
