Broward schools gave salary bonuses to more than three dozen high-level employees from the renewal of a tax by voters in 2022 that was sold to help teachers cope with housing costs and improve school safety and mental health programs.
Some employees who received supplemental money already earn more than $200,000 a year. A recent outcry forced the School Board to cancel the program for highly paid staffers. Bonuses of 5.5% of base salaries also went to teachers, principals, assistant principals and non-managers.
Outside a tense School Board meeting Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale, teachers chanted “Pay it back! Pay it back!” in reference to the bonuses. The cash-strapped district is closing six schools and likely can’t afford teacher pay raises for next year.
The payouts will remain politically controversial. One reason is that the School Board plans to ask voters next fall to extend the tax for another four years, at a time when its spending practices face intense criticism. Voters won’t be convinced so easily this time.
State law now requires that the tax must be voted on only in a November general election, and in Broward, that means more Republicans will be voting. The last vote was on the August primary ballot, when turnout is lower and most contested elections are between Democrats.
Here’s the list of employees and their annual bonuses as reported by the district in response to a Sun Sentinel Editorial Board public records request.
Fabian Cone, Chief Academic Officer: $9,625
Olen Davis III, Chief Information Officer: $12,180
Jermaine Fleming, Regional Supt., Teach & Learn: $10,016
Michael Gregory, Chief Safety & Security Officer: $11,000
Veda Hudge, Asst. Supt., School Transformation: $9,914
Romaneir Johnson, Chief Financial Officer: $12,180
Ernie Lozano, Chief Human Resources Officer: $10,450
Saemone Luis, Chief Student Services Officer: $9,800
Wanda Paul, Chief Operations Officer: $12,180**
Dave Rhodes, Chief Auditor: $11,047
Alan Strauss, Regional Supt., Teach & Learn $10,216
John Sullivan, Chief of Staff, Communications Dir.: $11,302
Ted Toomer, Regional Supt., Teach & Learn: $9,800
Valerie Wanza, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer: $12,342
Angela Fulton, Deputy Supt., Teaching & Learning: $12,463
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Jennifer Andreu, Procurement & Logistics: $9,489
David Azzarito Jr., Professional Standards: $9,800
Matthew Bradford, Technology Operations: $8,653
Lori Canning, Family & Community Engagement: $7,931
Manuel Castaneda, Analytics & Intelligence: $9,064
Simone Clowers, Student Transportation: $7,975
Sonja Coley, Capital Programs: $8,525
Mark Dorsett, Physical Plant Operations: $9,721
Diane Eagan, Exceptional Student Education: $8,214
Mark Magli, Audits: $8,360
Mary Beth Mulder, Food & Nutrition: $8,602
Adrian Parker, Strategic Initiatives: $8,837
Jose Perez, Broadcasting & Marketing: $7,761
Susan Rockelman, Talent Management: $8,894
LEGAL STAFF
Virginia Balkanski, Assistant General Counsel: $6,798
Thomas Cooney, Assistant General Counsel: $8,875
Susan Hofstetter, Assistant General Counsel: $8,498
Kathelyn Jacques Adams, Assistant General Counsel: $8,498
Giseli Lemay, Assistant General Counsel: $8,305
Maya Moore, Assistant General Counsel: $7,301
Esmeralda Negron, Administrative Counsel: $6,798
Robert Vignola, Deputy General Counsel: $10,041
Marylin Batista, General Counsel: $14,612**
Note: Each bonus included supplemental retirement payments of $1,557 to $3,345, depending on the employee’s annual salary.
** Has resigned.