Broward School Board directs chair to negotiate with Mark Magley and moves toward appointment as chief auditor

The School Board of Broward County on Thursday directed the board chair to enter contract negotiations with Mark Magley and moved to appoint him as the district’s chief auditor after a lengthy discussion about whether to conduct a competitive search.

Supporters including a public commenter, Natalie Lynch Walsh, urged the board to avoid delay and name Magley, whom the board approved as interim last week. "You already have someone sitting here," Walsh said, "and if you don't, you can't fill their position. I recommend Mark Magley for the chief auditor." Ms. Walsh identified herself as the former chair of the district audit committee.

Opponents on the board, led by Dr. Zeman, said they preferred a competitive process before installing a permanent chief auditor and worried a direct appointment could chill future applicant pools. "I never want to discourage people from applying here," Dr. Zeman said, adding that two outside applicants, Alicia Brown and Latricia Davis, had strong credentials and should be interviewed.

Mr. Rhodes, introduced to the discussion as the official who developed the succession plan, told the board that his evaluation work had produced a shortlist and that Magley had demonstrated capability during his interim service; several board members cited that record in support. Legal counsel advised the board that a short interim gap would not necessarily violate statutory duties, but that any statutory responsibilities occurring during the interim period would matter.

The board also approved a motion to use a government-market salary analysis as the basis for negotiations for the chief auditor position. Staff said the district already includes market analysis in compensation recommendations; human-resources staff estimated a typical pay-grade difference between chief and executive-director roles at roughly $50,000. The board asked staff to provide market data for the chair before contract talks begin.

Magley thanked the board after the vote, saying he appreciated the board's confidence and that he would work quickly to build the office and the team. The board recorded the substitute motion and the amended item as passed; meeting minutes show the item passed as amended.

The board did not finalize a permanent contract at the meeting; the chair was directed to begin negotiations and return any contract for board approval at a subsequent meeting.