School board approves employment contract with board attorney; vote 4-3 after severance and termination changes

The Lee County School Board voted 4-3 on Aug. 5 to approve an employment contract with Kathy Dupree Bruno, Esquire, BCS, making the term effective immediately and extending through June 30, 2027, under the contract terms discussed at the meeting.

Attorney Kevin Quick, representing the board’s negotiations, told members the two principal outstanding issues from earlier workshops were “termination” (whether a supermajority was required) and “severance” (initially 20 weeks). Quick said Bruno agreed to reduce the severance to 18 weeks and to remove the supermajority requirement so that a simple majority of the board could terminate the contract.

Quick also noted a clarifying provision to be added to paragraph 5: “but in no event shall Ms. Dupree Bruno be entitled to a salary greater than that received by the superintendent.” Quick asked the board to allow routine scrivener corrections to the draft contract to fix formatting or cross-references.

Board discussion focused on the severance cost and governance philosophy. Superintendent Carlin asked staff for updated fiscal impact numbers for an 18-week severance; the superintendent reported the severance amount would be $106,003.77 and the total annual cost tied to the position would be $434,008.58 if the severance option were exercised. Several board members questioned whether an unconditional 18-week severance was appropriate; one member said the amount equaled multiple teacher salaries. Board member Langford Fleming clarified that the 18-week severance would be paid “regardless of whether or not the attorney is employed by someone else at that point in time.” Attorney Quick confirmed that provision was part of the negotiated agreement.

Motion and vote: The superintendent read the recommendation to approve the employment contract with Kathy Dupree Bruno. The motion to adopt the recommendation was moved by Miss Ribble and seconded by Miss Jordan. A roll-call vote recorded affirmative votes from Miss Giovinelli, Mister Riddle, Miss Jordan and Mister Persons and negative votes from Miss Langford Fleming, Miss Taviano and the presiding chair, resulting in a 4-3 approval.

Official action and next steps: Attorney Quick said that once finalized and signed the new contract would supersede prior agreements with the board attorney. He was directed to follow up with staff and with Kathy Dupree Bruno to implement the contract, including making non-substantive scrivener corrections and adding the salary-limit language.

Discussion vs. decision: The board’s approval was a formal action (vote 4-3). The meeting record shows substantive discussion about termination thresholds, severance amount and fiscal impact; the board did not adopt any additional policy changes beyond approving the contract as amended.

Taper: Board members said they appreciated the work of Attorney Quick and of Kathy Dupree Bruno even when they disagreed about contractual philosophy; the board directed staff and counsel to finalize the contract language.