FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Things got heated at the Broward County School Board Tuesday as board members discussed an exit package for Peter Licata, a little more than a month after the superintendent’s abrupt retirement after less than a year on the job.
Board members voted to modify his separation agreement, choosing not to retain him as a consultant and striking a nondisparagement clause that would have prevented the board from criticizing him.
“Consulting doesn’t make sense,” board member Debra Hixon said. “I think that we have people doing those jobs already.”
Board member Torey Alston said, “This is Government 101 and I hope that everyone is watching because chaos is having the superintendent, unfortunately, leave in less than a year, but wanting a balloon payment — in my words — from our taxpayers.”
After hours of awkward and moderately contentious debate, in the end, Licata and his attorney agreed that he will end his service to the district on July 1 at a reduced salary and with reduced benefits from his superintendent role. One of the benefits he’ll no longer have is a vehicle allowance.
“I leave here with 10 pages for accomplishments in nine months,” Licata said.
He later added, “Compromise — it is what it is. I’m not known for the money I make. I don’t ever want to be known for that.”
Howard Hepburn took over for Licata as superintendent.