The Pinellas School Board selected Julie Janssen as its new superintendent this morning.The vote was 7-0. Janssen is a 29-year veteran of Pinellas schools. The board selected Janssen over Nicholas Gledich, 55, chief of operations for Orange County schools.

The key vote was Janet Clark, who has had qualms about Janssen's lack of experience at the top levels of district management. However, after a public hearing, Clark said she would support Janssen if she took actions to overcome the experience issue. Among them: putting her plans for new initiatives in writing, laying out timetables for those initiatives and joining the board in leadership training.

After Clark offered her support, other board members came over to Janssen's side.

Last week, Clark was part of the 4-3 majority that selected Miami-Dade educator Alberto Carvalho to be superintendent. Carvalho accepted a competing offer from his home district, prompting today's meeting.

About 25 district staffers in attendance applauded the decision. Many approached Janssen immediately after and greeted her with hugs and tears. Also on hand were Janssen’s two sons, Robert and Kris.

The School Board will now work with Janssen on a multi-year contract that would pay her between $200,000 and $240,000 a year. Janssen currently makes $185,000 as the interim superintendent.

- Thomas C. Tobin, Times Staff Writer

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