Dozier, Scricca remain as Lee School Board leaders

Following the pair of 5-0 votes, Dozier handed Scricca a gift bag on behalf of herself and members Jane Kuckel, Bob Chilmonik and Steven Teuber. Scricca then returned the favor with a gift to Dozier. The two then embraced and kissed each other on the cheek before beginning the business portion of Tuesday night's public meeting.

The exchange shows how the relationships among board members have evolved during tumultuous times over the past year. The board overturned controversial school bell times, tried to solve a frayed busing system and fired a superintendent all within five months of Scricca, Chilmonik and Teuber being elected.

"The last year has been a great challenge for me, and we've taken great strides," said Dozier, 51, a former teacher and administrator. "I appreciate the confidence you've shown in me."

Scricca, 72, equated the district's progress under Dozier's oversight to a child just after conception. She wanted Dozier to continue carrying the leadership torch while the district strives to reach full maturity.

"That baby has not been brought to full term," Scricca said. "Mrs. Dozier, I want you to bring that baby to full term."

"The leadership the board has had the last year under these two individuals has been superb," Chilmonik added. "It has been a stabilizing influence on us."

The chairman presides over public action meetings and represents the board at community functions, while the vice chairman serves as backup. All five board members serve as chairwomen of bi-weekly administrative briefings, though.

In Collier County, members elected a new chairman in Dick Bruce and a new vice chairwoman in Pat Carroll. Outgoing Chairwoman Linda Abbott was presented with a plaque during Collier's board meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

The Lee School Board also decided 4-1, with Scricca dissenting, to increase its salary from $33,914 to $34,697 for the coming year, an increase of 2.3 percent. That amount was recommended by the Florida School Boards Association and only applies to the three members elected in 2002 -- Scricca, Teuber and Chilmonik. Dozier and Kuckel's salaries are automatically set at $34,697 through a state formula in existence when they were elected in 2000.

Last November, board members heeded FSBA's recommendation of $33,914 for the new board members, also the same amount that Dozier and Kuckel received. The board could still choose an amount lower than the $34,697 maximum when it takes a final vote on Dec. 9.