New Broward superintendent could get less pay and severance than predecessor

Howard Hepburn would be paid $340,000 as Broward’s new superintendent and would get limited severance pay if he lasts less than a year, under tentative contract terms negotiated Friday.

His salary would be less than the $350,000 pay previous superintendents Vickie Cartwright and Peter Licata received.

Board Chairwoman Lori Alhadeff proposed giving Hepburn no severance if he were to separate from the district within his first year.

Hepburn and the district agreed to a compromise of no severance if he were to last six months or less, and then 3.3 weeks per month for the next six months. That would put him at 20 weeks’ severance at the end of the first year.

The School Board appointed Heburn as superintendent April 16, the day previous Superintendent Peter Licata announced he was retiring in December. Because the board agreed to terminate Licata’s contract immediately, there have been questions about whether he should be paid 20 weeks of severance, even though he was only on the job nine months.

Licata was supposed to negotiate his separation with the district Friday, but his lawyer canceled Thursday due to a scheduling conflict, district spokesman John Sullivan said. The negotiations will be rescheduled in the near future, Sullivan said.

The full board is scheduled to vote on Hepburn’s contract at the regular board meeting May 21, unless Alhadeff schedules a special meeting sooner, Sullivan said.

This is a developing story. Check back for more information.