As expected, the School Board unanimously approved a three-year contract May 17 with Dr. Carmen Balgobin, new superintendent of Volusia County Schools. Balgobin formerly served as deputy superintendent and interim superintendent in Volusia County.
Balgobin’s selection to the school district’s top job had been approved by unanimous vote May 10 — the School Board then scheduled a special session to finalize her contract.
On April 12, Superintendent Dr. Scott Fritz was abruptly dismissed by the School Board after several contentious meetings. Human Resources Director Rachel Hazel took over as interim superintendent in the meantime.
Balgobin will begin her new job July 1 with a salary of $245,000, an increase of $31,718 over Fritz’s annual pay.
Overall, though, School Board Attorney Ted Doran stressed at the May 17 special session, because the costs of Balgobin’s relocation, health insurance and vehicle will be lower, and because her contract doesn’t provide for performance bonuses, Balgobin as superintendent will cost $9,074.38 less than Fritz, a 3.1-percent decrease.
She will be eligible for salary adjustments every year, based on salary increases given to administrators, Doran said.
Balgobin, who lives in Broward County, was not able to attend the special session.
“Thank you for your vote of confidence in believing in me,” Balgobin said in a pre-taped video message played after the vote.
