Duval School Board approves new Superintendent’s contract

Jacksonville, FL — Duval County School board in a special meeting Thursday, in a 6-0 vote, confirmed Dr. Diana Greene as their next Superintendent.

Greene was selected by a unanimous vote from the School Board earlier this month, bringing this roughly year-long process close to an end. She currently serves as Superintendent in Manatee County, but has 33 years of experience in education and actually started her teaching career in Duval County.

Her contract starts July 1, 2018 and lasts through June 30, 2022. Greene’s annual salary will be $275,000, she will have access to a fleet vehicle or get mileage reimbursement, she can receive a District cell phone, she will have certain expenses reimbursed and professional growth activities covered, and have access to healthcare and other benefits. She is also getting a stipend for moving expenses and temporary living arrangements.

The contract delineates what is expected of Greene in her role, from management of schools and instruction to counseling the Board on a range of matters. She will oversee day-to-day operations in the District and execute the Board’s goals and objectives. Her duties further include preparing the annual budgets, organizing administrators and support staff, and giving guidance on the District’s Strategic Plan, among other things. The contract mandates Greene maintain certifications and licenses required to hold this position, while also allowing her to have other professional memberships and conduct official travel, all at the District’s expense.

Greene will go through an annual evaluation, which includes both a self-evaluation and meetings with Board Members. If there are deficiencies identified through this process, the contract requires Greene to submit a professional development plan identifying how those areas will be improved.

Currently serving as the interim Superintendent is Dr. Patricia Willis. The Board also voted Thursday on an amendment to her contract which would have her relinquish the responsibilities of the Superintendent position to Greene, but stay on as a "district-level administrator" through August 3, 2018. During that month, Willis will be available for advice and counsel on a host of matters, like the District's Strategic Plan, human resources, state law, facilities, and more.

Willis took the reins after the prior Superintendent, Dr. Nikolai Vitti, stepped down in order to take the top job in Detroit. The Board officially started the search process for his replacement a few months later, but took time to engage a search firm and then have them come forward with top candidates for the position. Over the last few weeks those candidates were vetted- both in public questioning sessions and private conversations with Board Members- leading up to the decision to move forward with Greene.