Broward school board delays decision on search firm for new superintendent
FORT LAUDERDALE - Broward County public schools Superintendent Dr. Vickie Cartwright could be fired for a second time as early as next week.
New school board member Allen Zeman has drafted a motion to fire Cartwright without cause effective July 1. The board is set to discuss the motion during a meeting on Tuesday, January 24th at which time Cartwright is scheduled to present her progress report on her plan of action.
Cartwright was fired last year, but the board reconsidered and gave her 90 days to prove herself and the work she was doing. At that time, four of the nine board members voted to sever ties with Cartwright. A fifth vote by Zeman would likely create the majority needed to fire her.
The board began its meeting on Wednesday by swearing in returning board member Daniel Foganholi.
He was named to the board last month by Gov. Ron DeSantis to replace Rod Velez who was not eligible to be sworn in after he was elected in November.
Foganholi was previously appointed to the board by DeSantis to fill the seat vacated by Dr. Rosalind Osgood who is now a state senator. He lost the seat in the November election.
Foganholi who previously represented District 5 now represents District 1.
After the swearing in, the board decided to wait on hiring a firm to search for a new school superintendent if Cartwright isn't retained. There are four firms that have submitted letters of intent to lead that charge.
Cartwright was not at the meeting, she was at a state Board of Education meeting in Jacksonville.
The board will consider the firm selection at next Tuesday's meeting.
Dr. Cartwright has some hope she will keep her job and will explain why she should stay in her role at next week's meeting when she updates the board on her action plan.
The board has also advertised for an interim superintendent if Dr. Cartwright is not kept on board while they search for her replacement.