NEW ALBANY, Ind. (WDRB) -- Bill Briscoe, the assistant superintendent of New Albany Floyd County Schools, will postpone his retirement plans after the school corporation’s board named him temporary interim superintendent Wednesday.
The New Albany Floyd County Consolidated School Corporation Board of Trustees voted 6-1 on Wednesday for Briscoe to continue serving as interim superintendent after the abrupt retirement of Superintendent Brad Snyder last week. Board member Lee Ann Wiseheart was the lone "no" vote.
The school corporation’s board voted 4-3 on July 1 to approve a retirement agreement with former Superintendent Brad Snyder that will pay him $181,960 in severance pay. A quarter of the amount, $45,490 minus applicable taxes, will be paid to Snyder within 30 days of the agreement's execution, while the remaining 75%, $136,470 minus applicable taxes, will be paid as part of the school corporation's first payroll of January 2023.
Briscoe, who was set to retire Friday after 44 years at the school corporation, said he could continue serving as the interim superintendent at New Albany Floyd County Schools until the start of September. He said he would continue at his same pay rate while serving as interim superintendent.
"I love working. I love what I'm doing," Briscoe said. "... I don't want you to take this long, but I probably have flexibility up to the beginning of September."
Discussion on appointing a temporary interim superintendent quickly centered on Briscoe during Wednesday's board meeting.
"I can't think of anybody who's got their finger on the pulse of the school corporation more than Bill Briscoe," said board member Rebecca Gardenour.
Wiseheart wanted the board to consider naming Chief Financial Officer Chris Street and Human Resources Director Jeanine Corson as temporary interim superintendents.
"It's two people, checks and balances, no one burden on any individual, and they, too, know our corporation from the financial and human resource perspectives," Wiseheart said.
Corson, however, said she did not want the role. Street is on vacation for the next two weeks.
"With Mr. Briscoe leaving, as you know, I am taking on different responsibilities, additional responsibilities, and it is the start of the school year and I think my focus needs to remain in the area that I am best at," Corson said.
The board's search for an interim superintendent will begin immediately. The board voted unanimously to allow President Elaine Murphy to reach out to potential candidates and gauge their interest in the role.
The board will discuss options for the process of searching for a new superintendent during an executive session Monday.
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