Superintendent Robert Runcie survived an attempt to fire him, but the Broward School Board still may decide to review his performance more often.
The School Board plans to hold a workshop Tuesday to discuss giving Runcie an interim, or mid-year, evaluation in addition to the annual one he receives every fall.
The proposal came during a March 5 vote on whether to fire Runcie. School Board member Lori Alhadeff wanted to terminate Runcie’s contract for “willful neglect,” citing failures in areas such as school safety, execution of the $800 million bond-funded renovation program and services to special needs students.
The vote failed 6 to 3, with Board members Nora Rupert and Robin Bartleman siding with Alhadeff.
Although Board chairwoman Heather Brinkworth voted no, she said at the meeting there were many concerns she felt needed to be addressed and asked for a mid-year review.
“I don’t see willful neglect. I do see issues and things that need to be addressed,” Brinkworth said.
She said too much of the discussion on Runcie has been focused on issues related to the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland which left 17 people dead.
“I am looking forward to a conversation that does not focus on a single incident,” she said.
Board members say they regularly voice concerns and criticism to Runcie during one-on-one meetings, but those discussions rarely become public.
”I think it’s important we have a conversation that Mr. Runcie and the community hear at the same time so they are well-informed about the issues we have with him,” Brinkworth said.
Runcie, who was hired in 2011, used to receive two evaluations a year, but that requirement was dropped when his contract was last renewed in 2017.
“We had an interim evaluation and stopped. Obviously, we are in a different place,” Board member Donna Korn said. “If my colleagues want it, I’d be more than happy to support it.”
But Korn said she would want the review to be used to provide more regular feedback to Runcie, not as another attempt to fire him.
“That’s my concern is it gets turned into we’re having this evaluation so we can discuss terminating the superintendent,” Korn said. “To me, an evaluation is an evaluation.”
The workshop on a possible interim evaluation is tentatively scheduled for 2 p.m., but the time could change depending on how long two workshops on other topics last. The discussion can be viewed live on the district’s website.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
stravis@sunsentinel.com, 561-243-6637 or Twitter @smtravis