In a report issued Monday, Governor Rick Scott's inspector general Melinda Miguel recommended that salary parameters be established for Florida college presidents.
The report finds that the state's 28 college presidents' total compensations (including benefits and other forms of compensation) ranged anywhere from $143,000 to $630,000 for the 2012-2013 year.
Governor Scott requested the report last year following the controversial $1 million severance package given to former Florida State College at Jacksonville president Steve Wallace. According to the report, Wallace's total 2012-2013 compensation was roughly $500,000 - second only to the president of Miami Dade College at $630,000.
At the same time he requested this report, Governor Scott also requested an investigation into Wallace's spending at FSCJ. That report has yet to be released.
Miguel recommends that college trustee boards work with the Florida Department of Education to "establish the parameters upon which the presidents' total compensation is determined, document the factors upon which compensation is based and standardize this methodology across state colleges."
The report also recommends more transparency when it comes to benefits given to the presidents for life that aren't readily apparent in their contracts.
