Interim supt. deal sweetened with housing expense

At the Monday night (January 14) meeting of the board of trustees of Fallbrook Union High School District, Dr. Robert L. French was named interim superintendent. French replaces Tom Anthony, the former superintendent of 11 years whose contract buyout by the board majority is likely to cost the district close to $400,000.

The board struck a contract agreement with French that states he will receive a salary of $750 per day, making it appear that he is being paid slightly less than Anthony, whose daily salary was $757. However, upon examining a copy of French’s contract, it states he will also receive a $300 “monthly expense allowance.”

While it was not disclosed to the public what this expense allowance provides for, the Village News has discovered it is money designed to assist French with housing costs each month, since he does not reside locally. In taking the $300 “monthly expense allowance” and dividing it by the number of work days (21 each in February and March), it provides for an additional $14.28 per day.

In addition, because French is being made an employee of the district, he will be entitled to reimbursement for mileage, meals, entertainment and other normal expenses associated with the position.

French has been an educator since 1956 and has served as superintendent of the Piedmont Unified School District in Northern California, the Beverly Hills Unified School District and, most recently, the Orange Unified School District in Orange County.

He was an adjunct professor at University of Southern California for 20 years, then assistant dean and clinical professor of education for its Rossier School of Education.

French has served on several California Department of Education committees and has provided staff development programs for more than 20 school districts and universities.

When asked how long it might be until a permanent replacement is hired, Board President Bill O’Connor said, “ could take up to four months.”