Lee County school district has a new interim superintendent. Here's what to know about him

Dan Glaun, Fort Myers News-Press
Updated ·2 min read
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The School Board of Lee County swore in Kenneth Savage as interim superintendent Tuesday morning, after the surprise resignation of former superintendent Christopher Bernier.

Here's what to know about the district's new leader:

From 2001 to 2006, Savage was a teacher and athletics director in Alachua and Duval counties, according to a resume released in public school board documents.

He then joined the Lee school district, working as a principal and assistant principal at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

From 2016 through 2018, Savage worked at struggling district schools in the state's differentiated accountability program. In 2018, he was named the Florida Department of Education's Principal of the Year for his work improving performance at James Stephens International Academy in Fort Myers.

Savage then worked as an executive for the state Department of Education's Chancellor of the K-12 Division of Public Schools. In 2019, he returned to Lee County to serve as the district's chief operations officer.

Savage has run the district before

Kenneth Savage acknowledges members of the school board before being sworn in as superintendent of Lee County Schools on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. In November, the voters will decide the superintendent in the general election.
Kenneth Savage acknowledges members of the school board before being sworn in as superintendent of Lee County Schools on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. In November, the voters will decide the superintendent in the general election.

This is Savage's second stint as interim superintendent. In 2021, the board named Savage to the position after the retirement of superintendent Greg Adkins.

When Bernier took the helm in 2022, Savage continued to work at the district as chief strategy officer.

Bernier's swift departure

After voters approved a referendum in 2022 changing Lee County's superintendent from an appointed to an elected position, Bernier said he would not seek election.

He also said he intended to serve out the remainder of his term; board members said his resignation was sudden and a surprise.

“This came about very quickly obviously," board Chairman Sam Fisher said at a special meeting Monday. "It was unexpected."

The board did not offer any explanation for Bernier's departure, though board member Armor Persons emphasized that Bernier had not been fired. The News-Press was unable to immediately reach Bernier for comment.

How much will Savage make?

Kenneth Savage speaks to the media after being sworn in as superintendent of Lee County Schools on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. His salary is $210,700 per year; but the electorate will vote for superintendent in the November General Election.
Kenneth Savage speaks to the media after being sworn in as superintendent of Lee County Schools on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. His salary is $210,700 per year; but the electorate will vote for superintendent in the November General Election.

Savage will have an annualized salary of $210,700, according to the contract the board approved on Tuesday. The contract also requires the district to pay an additional 15% of Savage's salary into a retirement fund.

Bernier's salary was $275,400 per year, and his separation agreement includes 20 weeks of severance pay.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Lee County, Florida, schools: Interim superintendent sworn in