- April 18, 2024
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James Tager (Photo courtesy of Flagler Schools)
Jacob Oliva (Photo by Jonathan Simmons)
Flagler Schools will pay incoming superintendent James Tager $135,000 in base pay, plus performance incentives for improving the district's school grade and student graduation rates.
The School Board approved the contract with Tager 4-0 at its May 16 meeting. School Board member Colleen Conklin was absent.
Tager's three-year contract begins June 1.
"We set a range between $125,000 and $155,000 I think; $135,000 is kind of in the middle," said School Board Chairman Trevor Tucker, who'd handled negotiations with Tager on behalf of the board.
Current superintendent Jacob Oliva started in his position three years ago at $125,000 in base pay with annual 2% cost-of-living increases.
Tager will receive 2% cost of living increases each year, conditional on the School Board also approving 2% increases for district staff.
In addition, Tager will be eligible for $2,500 bonuses for certain performance measures: For bringing the district's grade up from a B to an A, or for raising its graduation rate three points within a single year. He would be eligible for another $2,000-$7,000 for completing leadership development training certified by the Florida Department of Education.
Tager will participate in the Florida Retirement System and have access to the healthcare options offered to school district employees.
Instead of a car allowance, Tager be provided a district vehicle for official trips, and will have an expense allowance of $700 per month.
At Oliva's last School Board meeting in Flagler, board members thanked him for his years of service to the district.
Oliva is leaving Flagler Schools to take an administrative position with the Florida Department of Education.
District staff played a video showing Oliva from his earliest years as a child through his work as a teacher, principal and ultimately the district's superintendent for the past three years.
"I guess the biggest compliment will be watching the labor that you’ve given to the district, the legacy that you’ve left behind … to watch it grow," School Board member Andy Dance said. "We’re thankful for everything that you have given to Flagler, and we wish you luck in your future endeavors."
"You rock," School Board member Janet McDonald said to Oliva. "And I know that we are going to see a revolution across Florida because you are going to inspire a whole department."
Oliva said that when he thinks back over this experiences in Flagler County, he doesn't look at his colleagues as "a bunch of people that I worked with, I look at this as my family."
" I do believe … that our School Board made an excellent choice in choosing Mr. Tager," he said. "I do believe that we have an excellent foundation laid for Flagler Schools to build on, and I believe that he will do just that."
