Broward School Board votes to hire interim Superintendent Dr. Earlean Smiley
FORT LAUDERDALE - The Broward School Board voted Wednesday to hire Dr. Earlean Smiley as interim superintendent for $300,000 a year.
The move follows the board's decision to cut ties with Dr. Vickie Cartwright, who was criticized for her leadership style.
Cartwright was on the job for a total of 18 months.
Dr. Smiley spent 38 years with the district before becoming a superintendent in South Carolina.
In Broward, she started as a teacher and then moved up the ladder, becoming a principal at both Blanche Ely and Pompano Beach High and eventually becoming a deputy superintendent.
"Safety is paramount. I want teachers to have what they need to get the job done," Smiley told reporters after accepting the position.
"Students need to know they are loved and their voices count," she said.
Smiley has come up as a possible candidate several times by different members of the board.
It is important to note, with all of this, Smiley will only be in the role while the national search takes place.
Smiley's contract will be for a year or until a permanent superintendent is in place. She will not be allowed to apply for a permanent job.
The school board has set a goal of July 1 for a new leader, but the search could extend beyond that.