Palm Beach County School Board Vice Chairman Frank Barbieri.
What was it about a contract that stuck in the craw of Palm Beach County School Board Vice Chairman Frank Barbieri Wednesday afternoon?
An “extravagant” provision in the school board’s contract with a national headhunting firm that could let the firm spend up to $50,000 in travel and other expenses during the search for a new schools superintendent.
Barbieri thought that was far too large of an expense tab for the firm, Ray and Associates.
The tab is in addition to the company’s $37,000 search fee. All told, the school board could be out as much as $87,000.
Barbieri voted against approving the contract, but it passed 6 to 1. School district officials said it was unlikely the company would burn through anywhere close to the full $50,000.
Here’s the provision straight from the contract:
