CAPE CORAL

Cape Coral Charter Superintendent Nelson Stephenson resigns

FRANK BUMB
FBUMB@NEWS-PRESS.COM
Cape Coral Charter Schools Superintendent Nelson Stephenson

Cape Coral Charter School system Nelson Stephenson resigned from his post on Monday, effective on June 30, the end of his original two-and-a-half-year contract with the system.

“I have worked hard and went the extra mile to ensure that we remain a top rated system and I believe that it is time for me to pass the torch to new leadership,” Stephenson said in his email. “I am respectfully notifying you of my intention to finish my contractual obligations through June 30, 2017 and to not sign a new contract for July 1st.”

Stephenson confirmed his resignation and its effective date but declined to give a reason for his resignation Monday evening. Stephenson said in a letter to the Cape Coral Charter School System governing board that he would not sign an extension.

The charter school system governing board offered him a two-year contract extension in mid-February that would have upped his salary to $125,000 with possible further pay increases. Stephenson was hired in December 2014.

Cape Coral Charter Governing Board extends Stephenson contract

Stephenson said he would expand upon the reasoning for his decision Tuesday.

Councilwoman Jessica Cosden, the city council’s liaison to the governing board and its chair, said she did not know the reason for Stephenson’s surprise announcement.

Councilman Richard Leon said Stephenson was pounded by some members of Cape Coral City Council.

“Councilman (Jim) Burch, perplexed is a good word,” Leon said. “Getting pounded the way he did by some members of this council, I think he made the best choice for himself and his family. I honestly can’t blame him.”

Burch said he was disappointed that the governing board had gone through contract negotiations with Stephenson only for him to reject the extension.

Stephenson was at the center of a dispute with Mayor Marni Sawicki.

Cape Council, charter schools rehash grievances

The dispute stems, in part, from a June 18 phone call. Sawicki said she called Stephenson to inquire about teacher retention and standard operating procedures for how the charter school system handles terminations. That inquiry came after three teachers didn't have their contracts renewed. Sawicki said the notices were sent with form letters and the teachers were left wondering why they weren’t retained.

Stephenson said during the phone call – of which neither Sawicki nor Stephenson had a recording – Sawicki said he would reinstate one of the teachers or she would have the city manager or city council "take care of it." Sawicki disputes that any such request or demand was made.

The dispute has also transitioned into the realm of the charter school system’s finances with city concerns that the system’s finances are not on solid ground. City Manager John Szerlag contracted out a financial sustainability analysis with the Stantec Consulting Services for $28,000. The analysis is meant to see what factors would impact the future financial sustainability of the system. But some governing board members raised concerns over previous financial reports by the city on the system’s finances leading to more rancor between the two bodies.

Sawicki announced her intention not to seek a second term on March 20 to focus on her marketing business.

Stephenson’s letter said he was proud of several efforts during his two years as superintendent including the district receiving AdvancED Accreditation, technology upgrades both in terms of hardware purchased to get to a 1:1 ratio between students and devices, raises for staff and the charter system’s first internal audit.