By Jennifer Howard<\/p>\n
The room echoed with cheers and an impromptu chorus of \u201cFor He\u2019s a Jolly Good Fellow\u201d as Dr. Kent Sharples addressed the Board of Trustees and audience one last time upon the announcement of his retirement as President of Daytona State College.<\/p>\n
His final words to the college on Nov. 18 were, \u201cThis is the finest institution that I have ever had the pleasure of working for. I will miss the friends that I\u2019ve made and the faculty, staff, and students that have made coming to work over the last ten years a joy. This is not the end for me, but a new beginning for me and my family. May God Bless and keep you all.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nov. 19 was his last day, although Sharples will act as a consultant until Dec. 17, the final day of the fall semester. His resignation comes amid controversy surrounding a summer concert series that brought the Grammy Award-winning artist Usher and the Jonas Brothers to Daytona Beach. Sharples and the Board agreed that there is a need to move on from the failed\u00a0 American Music Fesival \u00ad\u2014 and other concerns over decisions he has made \u2014 that have been haunting the college for months.<\/p>\n
Admitting that mistakes were made, but never taking personal responsibility for them publicly, the only way to protect the reputation of Daytona State College was the step down as the President.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes knowing when it\u2019s best for the institution, to leave, is more important than anything else,\u201d Sharples said.<\/p>\n
During the Board meeting, Peter Heebner, one of the College\u2019s attorneys, explained that rollover retirement contract between the Trustees and Sharples. Rollover contracts are used often in sports to trade players and to hire or release coaches and pursue other options. Sharples\u2019 contract which ends in 2014 was bought out for $1.2 million, plus over a half-million in benefits. Those benefits include accrued sick and vacation time and complete health coverage for his family through 2014.<\/p>\n
Also within that time frame, Sharples may be hired as an independent contractor to the college if there are issues that as a former lead administrator he could help resolve. Finally, included in the contract was a disparagement clause, restricting the former president and the Board from making derogatory marks about one another publicly.<\/p>\n
Heebner informed the audience of 100 that there are two funding sources for such circumstances. The first is the state appropriation funds which are given by the Florida Legislature (which does have a cap), or the auxiliary funds generated by the bookstore and other entrepreneurial ventures made by the college. Most colleges have such expenditure accounts. At DSC there is reported surplus between $3 and 7 million.<\/p>\n
Mary Ann Haas, outspoken Board member against Sharples\u2019 music festival loan, questioned where the funds would come from and what they could be used for instead of the buy-out. She was the single holdout against the agreement, which was approved by the Board.<\/p>\n
Trustees accepted the retirement contract by a vote of 8-1. A former Assistant Professor from the recently closed Visual Arts Department, Liz Zielske, let the room know of her absolute approval of the board\u2019s decision to release Sharples by shouting, \u201cJustice finally!\u201d and cheering as she left the room. The audience retaliated by booing her.<\/p>\n
Chair of the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Dr. Ron Morrison, said he was \u201csad and disappointed\u201d with the overall outcome. Morrison went on to call Sharples a \u201cvisionary\u201d.<\/p>\n
Dr. Frank Lombardo was named interim President of Daytona State College. The longtime administrator will serve as acting president, while former Florida State University President T.K. Wetherell, also a former vice president of Daytona State College, will head a search committee to find Sharples\u2019 successor. Wetherell will meet with the board Dec. 7.<\/p>\n
Trustee Dr. Christina Frederick-Recascino requested that other recruiting firms be considered before a decision is made. Forough Hosseni seconded this motion.<\/p>\n
John Tanner, Board Chairman, proposed a motion that Steven Kahn, the attorney hired to help manage the finances of the Community Cultural Foundation, be paid for services rendered and dismissed. Trustees unanimously agreed.<\/p>\n
Sharples became president of DSC in 1999. He was instrumental in taking DSC from a community college to a state college, as well as implementing nine bachelor degree programs and orchestrating a period of unprecedented growth for the college, both physically and in terms of enrollment.<\/p>\n
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By Jennifer Howard The room echoed with cheers and an impromptu chorus of \u201cFor He\u2019s a Jolly Good Fellow\u201d as Dr. Kent Sharples addressed the Board of Trustees and audience one last time upon the announcement of his retirement as President of Daytona State College. His final words to the Continue reading Sharples steps down, ending an era<\/span>