More Information About CCSD Candidate Dr. James Browder

I was reading the Fort Myers News-Press and looking at the comments in the comment section, it seemed like they are hoping that we will hire Browder off their hands. Now, it maybe sour grapes on the behalf of some people who are chronically pissed off or it maybe where there is smoke, there is fire, so I did some checking. http://www.news-press.com/article/20100916/NEWS0104/100916048/1006/news0128/Lee-s-Browder-finalist-for-Nevada-position
Some things I have found out. Two Browder allies on the Lee school board were ousted in the last election and the election was much about Browder as anything else.
There has been a problem in Lee County with transportation, in which students were on the buses for over an hour at a time. http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/jan/09/parents-complain-some-lee-school-bus-rides-90-plus/
The Lee County Board eliminated the ethics clause in Browder's contract. Why? Will CCSD do the same? He also gets 2 years salary if he leaves Lee County for whatever reason and apparently he is double dipping his salary- taking retirement and salary at the same time.
We commend the board for recognizing Dr. Browder's worth. Still, four of its members have nevertheless gone far astray as they seem to think that loyalty is best displayed by blind allegiance.
A request to "retire," grab a $240,000 package from the state's controversial Deferred Retirement Option Program, and then come back 30 days later to his superintendent's post at full salary of $167,815 per year? No problem.
Elimination of an ethics clause in Dr. Browder's employment contract? No problem.
A $342,000 golden parachute that gives Dr. Browder two year's salary even if he's fired for cause or chooses to quit while his contract is in effect? With layoffs looming and art programs doomed? No problem. http://www.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com/page/content.detail/id/502749.html?nav=5007
He also doesn't take criticism very well (from the same article): Free rein to indulge in snipe fests that take to task those among the public who dare to question district decisions? No problem.
The right to take on board members who dare to dissent against this bobblehead mentality? Apparently, no problem.
With the ink on his new go-ahead-and-fire-me contract still wet, Dr. Browder last week fired back at the one school board member who has had the gumption to ask some tough questions, precisely the role of an elected official.
When board member Bob Chilmonik asked the superintendent at a budget workshop meeting last Friday if he would be willing to reinstate the ethics clause of his contract, Dr. Browder's response was less than professional
"No," replied Dr. Browder. "I will tell you when I will put it back, when the governor replaces you on the board with an acceptable school board member."
Another issues is school busing- not racial, mind you, but just that kids were on buses for hours each day. Apparently, he doesn't like staggered start times for schools. Will he approve the way CCSD is doing things, like having staggered starting times: One of the cost-cutting recommendations, changing school start times to help end long school bus rides and save money. Something no one on this board agrees with.
Browder:"What I am not willing to do is have that destroy the system.
Rob: Why would it Dr. Browder?
Browder: Because you will have to change 70% of the school start times. You haven't been here that long, you were someplace else dealing with other issues, the deal is I know what school start times do".
Browder says the district would have to go to a three tier system.
Browder: "I would say start at 7:30, 9:00 and 10:30 -- are families willing to start that tier at 10:30 -- it expands childcare for folks".
http://www.fox4now.com/Global/story.asp?S=13162235
Not all things are bad with Browder, mind you. He has support of the press in Lee county. He is a conservative educator for the most part. He favors a 200 day school year (yeah, that will go over well with students). He seems to be tough on bad teachers and he favors school choice within the school district.
So, far, Dr. Browder seems to be head and tails above the other candidates but that is not saying a lot. But questions need to be asked and answered.