Florida's 28 college presidents are earning millions in salaries and benefits. As Christine DiMattei tells us, a review ordered by Governor Rick Scott shows that some of those salaries and perks are against the law.
The final report released Monday by the Inspector General's Office shows that Florida's state college presidents received a combined $9.8 million in salaries and benefits during the current fiscal year.State law allows taxpayer money to cover only $225,000 of a college president's salary. But individual colleges can augment that base salary with money from other sources. The highest compensation package went to the president of Miami Dade College, with a total exceeding $630,000.
The analysis also revealed that many colleges offered severance packages that violate state laws designed to limit payouts. The chancellor of Florida's College System says the critical review is prompting college boards statewide to alter and amend salary and severance contracts now offered to presidents.