Broward School Board names interim superintendent after approving deal to part ways with Dr. Vickie Cartwright

FORT LAUDERDALE -- The Broward County School Board on Tuesday voted unanimously to amend the severance deal for Superintendent Dr. Vickie Cartwright, agreeing to end her relationship with the district as of today.

After approving the exit deal, the board voted to appoint Dr. Earlean Smiley as the interim superintendent, noting that she can not apply for the job permanently. The board also opted to place Dr. Valerie Wanza in charge of the district until Smiley can assume her role.

It was not immediately clear when Smiley, 71, will assume her interim duties.

Smiley was a principal at Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach and served as a deputy superintendent for the district for ten years.  She then became a superintendent in South Carolina 

Last august she swore in Torey Alston as a broward school board member.   Alston was a student at Ely high school when dr smiley was principal 

Board members agreed to a payout to Cartwright that is about $100,000 less than her original deal because a 60-day consulting agreement with the district was scuttled.   

School board members voted to a $266,000 payout for the embattled schools chief, down from the $365,646 payment for severance, vacation, sick time and benefits that the board had agreed to just last week.

Under the terms of the separation agreement, Cartwright won't be able to sue the district. Both sides are working on a non-disparagement agreement.

During the meeting, Cartwright read a resignation letter that said in part, "It has been an honor to serve the students, families, teachers, administrators, staff and the community of Broward County."

In her resignation letter, she touted her efforts to negotiate "one of the largest raises for teachers in 15 years" along with improved graduation rates for students. 

The effort to oust Cartwright began last year when several school board members brought the issue up, citing dissatisfaction with her leadership.

Joan Murray

Joan Murray is an award-winning reporter who joined CBS Miami in August 2001, shortly before the 9/11 terror attacks. She was among the first to report the South Florida connection to the terrorists.

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