Earlean Smiley agrees to $300,000 salary as Broward’s interim superintendent

Earlean Smiley is expected to start Wednesday as Broward’s interim superintendent, with a salary of $300,000.

Smiley negotiated a package Monday morning with School Board Chairwoman Lori Alhadeff. The rest of the board will vote on it during a meeting Wednesday, and she’ll start immediately after the vote.

The School Board tapped her for the job Tuesday to replace Vickie Cartwright, whose tumultuous 18-month tenure ended Feb. 7 after she mutually agreed to separate from the district at a cost of about $277,000.

The contract will be for a year or until a permanent superintendent is in place.

The School Board has set a goal of July 1, although board members say it could take longer.

“Let’s get this done, so we get to work on getting a transformational leader,” she told Alhadeff after negotiations. “I want the system ready for that individual.”

The original salary was $270,000, but the package was raised to include the value of some benefits she won’t receive. Smiley, a longtime administrator who retired in 2010, has already been collecting Florida retirement benefits and is not eligible to re-enroll under state law.

Interim superintendent Dr. Earlean Smiley briefly speaks to the media after contract negotiations at Broward County Schools headquarters in Fort Lauderdale on Monday. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Associate Superintendent Valerie Wanza has been filling in since Cartwright left.

The district plans to pay her $350 a day supplement as “task-assigned” superintendent.

Wanza, who makes about $190,000, is expected to receive a extra $2,100 for her six days as superintendent.

This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.