- April 19, 2024
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Volusia County Schools officially has a new superintendent.
On Tuesday, May 17, the School Board held a special meeting to approve the negotiated contract between the district and Carmen Balgobin, a former VCS deputy superintendent. Balgobin is familiar with the role, having served as interim superintendent from July 2020 to February 2021 while former Superintendent Scott Fritz was out on medical leave. In late March, she accepted a deputy superintendent position with Broward County Public Schools, but is now set to go back to work with VCS on July 1.
In a video address to the School Board, teachers, staff and the community, Balgobin said she appreciated the support she has been given.
"We will continue to work together as a team with our staff to rightfully ensure Volusia is at the forefront as we provide quality learning experiences for all students," Balgobin said. "Our students certainly deserve a world-class education."
Balgobin's three-year contract with the district will begin on July 1 and run through June 30, 2025, unless the board chooses to extend or terminate Balgobin during that period. Per VCS documents, she will be paid a base salary of $245,000, which is over $30,000 more than Fritz's former salary. However, the district outlines the overall cost of Balgobin's contract is 3.1% less than Fritz's. With benefits, his annual salary amounted to $292,657.38; Balgobin will be at $283,583.
"It's pretty obvious that what happened was that Dr. Balgobin wanted , and Chairman [Ruben] Colon agreed, a higher base salary in return for a much more limited benefits package," School Board Attorney Ted Doran said.
Balgobin's total salary includes $36,750 in tax sheltered annuity, and up to $5,500 in relocation and housing expenses, though those funds will be granted on a reimbursement basis. She will not be receiving a performance bonus, unlike Fritz who was eligible for over $21,000 per his contract.
Volusia United Educators President Elizabeth Albert asked the district be more transparent with the figures that were left out of the breakdown of Balgobin's contract in the meeting's agenda — the document appears as if Balgobin's salary doesn't include health insurance or a vehicle allowance, but Balgobin will be receiving the same base health insurance as other VCS employees, and she will be given a vehicle to use for district purposes.
Overall, Albert said it was a generous contract.
"I hope that when we bring the salary committee's proposal forward to the bargaining committees and we negotiate that, that we still have that generous spirit among us," Albert said.
The union president was concerned about a section of the contract that stated if the board chose to "do nothing regarding the term of the agreement," Balgobin's contract would be automatically extended for another three years. After some discussion, the board decided to amend the contract to remove this clause.
