Decision Day: School Board Expected to Vote on Superintendent Janssen's Future

Will she stay or will she go? Today, the Pinellas County School Board is expected to decide if Superintendent Julie Janssen will keep her job.

Most board members are unhappy with Janssen's performance. Back in June they held a to discuss specific issues.  

Among the concerns board members raised; Janssen failed to deliver a strategic plan to them as promised, the superintendent spends too much time responding to negative media published on blogs and Twitter, Janssen needs to develop a proactive plan to deal with staff and media, and she needs to better manage crisis situations.

During the five-hour meeting, board members told Janssen she must improve her performance and gave a deadline of today.

Late Friday, and take one year's severance pay which amounts to $200,000. The amount of severance Janssen could receive may end up becoming a big point of contention during today's board meeting.

We could also see some heated arguments among school board members regarding Janssen. Peggy O'Shea is known to be a big supporter of the superintendent and recently told Palm Harbor Patch, “I don’t think any of the concerns the board expressed at the meetings rise to the level of just cause.”

During today's board meeting we could find who will be appointed interim superintendent, if Janssen leaves. The St. Petersburg Times is reporting that former Polk County Superintendent, John Stewart, 67, says he is interested in the job.

The special board meeting begins at 10 a.m. in the Conference Hall at school board headquarters which is located in Largo at 301 Fourth St. S.W. 

Palm Harbor Patch will have a reporter there. Be sure to stay with us for updates.