JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Duval County School Board voted 4-3 to allow Superintendent Diana Greene to retire from her position Tuesday afternoon in a special board meeting.
Greene will have eight days to change her mind. If she goes forward with the decision, she will exit her position on June 3. She will use the rest of her vacation time after that and technically still hold the seat until July 24.
School board members weighed in on the vote in a brief news conference following the meeting.
She has been under increasing political pressure since a scandal at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts -- where longtime music teacher Jeffrey Clayton was arrested in March, and three teachers were later removed from their positions. (These teachers are not yet being named as they have not been charged with crimes.)
"...Make no mistake," said Board Member Darryl Willie of District 4. "We're not here by accident. She's not retiring early, she's being forced out. That's how this works."
"... It was certainly not my intention to see Dr Greene retire," said Board Member April Carney of District 2. "... However, I am hopeful for the steps we are going to take moving forward, and I am proud to be sitting on this board with my six other colleagues who believe that putting student's first job and is of utmost importance..."
The State Board of Education said last week that under Greene, Duval County Schools failed to report up to 50 other teacher complaints.
Board members said Tuesday that Greene intended to retire before Clayton's arrest.
Willie believes Greene was forced into retirement. He voted against her retirement agreement and also questioned the motivation of his fellow school board members who voted for Dr. Green's retirement.
"Everyone should be trying to find that out because as we look for another superintendent, we should know what the bar is what bar are we trying to shoot for so the next person that comes in doesn’t meet the same fate," Willie said.
At Tuesday night's school board meeting several people voiced their support for Dr. Greene.
Including former interim superintendent, Patricia Willis.
"You have done an outstanding job for our students, children, and teachers an outstanding leader and as a result of your impact on Duval County Public Schools it will not be the same again," Willis said.
A contract signed by Greene and the board says she will receive $114,942.53, which is equivalent to five months of her pay, and $20,015.22 for unused sick leave.
The board has tabled discussion on who will temporarily replace Greene until a later meeting.
