(UPDATE #2: Browder opted not to attend Edison’s pre-scheduled charter school meeting and informal meet-and-greet this afternoon because of the extra media attention his appearance would have generated and the fact that he hasn’t discussed the job prospect with school board members)
(UPDATE #1: Edison contacted Browder this morning about moving up that initial meeting, and the superintendent will be heading to Edison’s Lee campus this afternoon)
Superintendent James Browder is planning to interview next week for a position at Edison State College.
Edison District President Kenneth Walker contacted Browder Thursday morning, asking the schools chief if he would be interested in developing and managing the college’s charter school system. Browder agreed to talk, and said he’s flattered by the opportunity.
“If I decided to change jobs, I wouldn’t have to leave my home and my family and all my friends,” Browder told me.
This isn’t the first time he has flirted with a potential employer.
In January 2008, Browder applied for commissioner of the Florida High School Athletic Association, but withdrew from consideration two months later. While he was considering that position, the school board bumped up his salary package.
“When push came to shove, I didn’t feel like we’d gotten the district to the point where I felt I wanted to,” Browder said. “Now, I feel the district is headed in the right direction.”
Lee County has earned consecutive A ratings in 2009 and 2010 from the Florida Department of Education.
In this year’s August primary, challengers Don Armstrong and Tom Scott defeated staunch Browder supporters in Steven Teuber and Elinor Scricca, respectively. Both newcomers, who take office in November, have given a thumbs down to Browder’s leadership. Browder’s overture with the FHSAA in 2008 also came during election year, but voters that year reelected Jeanne Dozier and Jane Kuckel to their third terms.
“That has nothing to do with this,” Browder said of turnover on the board.
When reached Friday morning, Armstrong said he wasn’t shocked Browder is interested in another job, given that he’s guaranteed to have three new bosses come November; either Mary Fischer or Arnold Gibbs will be seated after their November runoff.
“There are a lot of positive things in this district, but the negative stuff is overshadowing the positive,” Armstrong said. “Maybe it is better to start off fresh. If Browder decides that this is the avenue in life he wants to go down, I wish him all the best.”
Other board members and Scott have not yet returned my calls.
Browder said that since the election, he’s received “several interesting inquiries” from folks gauging his interest in job opportunities. In past years, search firms and executives from other school districts have touched base with Browder, but he rebuffed their overtures.
“I’ve talked to people before and listened to them, but not acted on it,” Browder said.
Catherine Bergerson, Edison’s director of communications and marketing, said the yet-to-be-named position would take on an administration role with the Edison Educational System, an umbrella that includes charter schools and college programs. Campuses in Lee and Charlotte counties already have collegiate high schools, and Collier’s school is under development. Edison also hopes to open a K-8 charter school in two years on the Lee campus.
The new position has not yet been advertised, but the college is planning to fill that slot in the coming months.
“It’s a two-way interview,” Bergerson said. “Our executives can talk to Dr. Browder, and Dr. Browder can talk to our executives.”
No other candidates have interviewed.
Browder and Walker are no strangers. Browder worked as Edison’s dean of instruction from 1998 to 2000, and the two leaders serve together on the Alliance for Educational Leaders and Horizon Council.
Browder earns $167,815 annually as Lee superintendent, and his contract provides that he’ll receive two years of pay upon his exit from the district. The contract requires that he notify board members if he “seeks other employment by submitting an official application,” which he has not done.
Stay tuned to Chalkboard for this developing story…
Browder’s Resume
* 2003-present: Superintendent, Lee County School District
* 2000-03: Principal, Fort Myers High
* 1998-2000: Dean of instruction, Edison Community College
* 1995-98: Principal, Cypress Lake High
* 1994-95: Assistant superintendent for district operations, Lee County School District
* 1993-94: Principal, Fort Myers High
* 1992-93: Director of secondary schools, Lee County School District
* 1987-92: Principal, Estero High
* 1985-87: Director of maintenance services, Lee County School District
* 1983-85: Principal, Alternative Learning Center
* 1972-83: Teacher and dean of students, Fort Myers High
* 1970-71: Teacher, Alma Grade School in West Virginia
Tags: Edison Collegiate High School, Edison State College, James Browder, Kenneth Walker, Lee County School Board, Lee County School District
So long Jimmie don’t let the door hit you in the butte.. Please leave the school district documents intact.
this guy is a pig! greedy ”f***NG PIG! A SUBACEOUS CYST ON THE TAXPAYERS OF LEE COUNTY! AND YOU(THE TAXPAYERS) allow him to continually,year after year ,let him rob you!!! what makes this guy so valueable? policeman,deputies,firefighters…i ask you….is what you do everyday worth a small fraction of what this guy does?!! he makes 8 times more a year!!! HE’S MAKING YOU LOOK LIKE FOOLS!! and you are if you don’t question what i am saying.
Congratulations! Mr. Browder is a solid professional and has always done a great job. It is nice to see someone, anyone have the opportunity to better themselves professionally and progress with their career. Nice job and good luck.
Those of you moaning and groaning; envy and jealousy are terribly transparent. Sorry you have not the talents to succeed in your areas of expertise….if you have any.
I think the distinguished Dr. Browder is the utmost of candiddates for the position. I highly reccommend him for the job. His unsurpassed competency and integrity are quite fitting for a highly responsible such as the one for which he has applied.
(When you want to get rid of a rotten apple and someone asks for a reference, you say as many nice things (lies) as you can come up with).
Yo Buttface Browder: Please apply for a job in Afghanistan. They have schools too!
Clearly this is a violation of procedures for hiring practices by a college in the state system of Florida. He’s being invited to be interviewed before the job posting itself? This is an unethical overture by the Edison State College president, to say the least.
It also suggests that Browder has difficulty in working with others who hold different perspectives. It’s easy to be a “leader” if you have a Board that rubber-stamps each of your initiatives. Evidently, when a new Board is on the horizon, it’s convenient to declare that you’ve achieved your goals, the ship is headed in the right direction, and look for a new job where you again have little accountability.
Dr. Browder can come across as thick, but maybe he does see the writing on the wall. The voters have spoken. Time for him to do more than “flirt” with finding another job — he should take that concept out for dinner, a flick and start making his moves. And yes, the double meaning was fully intended… perhaps his alleged days a “ladies man” aren’t over, they’ve simply morphed into another form.
Looks to me like he can’t keep a job…
Good. Maybe now the school district can get on the right track and start teaching these kids how to be people instead of robot hicks.
Go to the TWITTER section people. You don’t need to post your name that way. And why is this the only comment section requiring all that personal info? HMMmmmmm………makes ya stop and think, doesn’t it?
He will do fine in his new position unless, of course, they have to transport students in buses or order office supplies. And, if not, he gets TWO YEARS SALARY for leaving! Ridiculous!!!
Such a suprise. Changes on the school board which will make him a lot more accountable are coming–the writing is on the wall. The first rat to leave the ship….the leader.
All the above comments are on target. Will Edison College be smart enough to realize that hiring Browder will reduce their reputation and make it the laughingstock of the community? Hopefully they will know better!
Once again Mr. Moore, Mr. Traube & Praetorian…..you really have no clue in what it takes to run a school district…please continue to critize from your f-ing golf carts and lawn chairs while the rest of us clean up after your dirty work griping & moaning……get a freaking clue!!