Fired Hernando school superintendent Lori Romano finds a job in the county next door — Pasco

Lori Romano, fired from the Hernando County superintendent post for "ineffective leadership" a month ago, has snagged a job in the neighboring Pasco County school district.

She won't be nearly as high up the administrative ladder in her new role.

Subject to Pasco School Board approval, Romano would be a senior grant writer in the district's Office of Student Support Programs and Services. She would report to a senior supervisor, who reports to a deputy director, who reports to a director, who reports to an assistant superintendent, who reports to a deputy superintendent, who reports to superintendent Kurt Browning.

The salary range for the job is $60,563 to $92,152 — the same level as a 230-day assistant principal. As Hernando superintendent, Romano received $150,000 a year.

Romano, whose husband, Tim, is a Pasco County teacher, remains in a battle with the Hernando County board. She has demanded a post-termination hearing to prove she was fired without cause, despite the board's assertion it had plenty of legal cause to get dismiss her.

The former superintendent had come under increasing criticism for her handling of issues such as the firing of 47 Moton Elementary School teachers. She also received negative feedback from a district-wide survey to evaluate her performance.

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Beyond that, a lawyer representing Romano has threatened to sue some Hernando board members, suggesting they violated her contract.

Romano has had a more cordial relationship with Browning and his team, who in the past have made positive comments about her.

"We think Lori Romano has a lot of skills and a lot of assets," deputy superintendent Ray Gadd said. "We think she'll do a good job."

The Pasco School Board will take up Romano's appointment as part of its consent agenda on June 24.