Daytona State College Board awards President Tom LoBasso with 4% pay raise, $50,000 bonus

The Daytona State College Board of Trustees has awarded college President Tom Lobasso a 4% raise and a $50,000 one-time payout.

Board members made no comments Wednesday during their unanimous vote to ratify the amendment to LoBasso’s contract, which raises his salary to just over $350,000. With the payout − which amounts to a bonus that the board doesn't want to call a bonus because that term is not allowed under Florida law − his compensation tops $400,000.

On top of that, LoBasso receives other benefits such as insurance, deferred compensation and an auto allowance.

Later in Wednesday's meeting, Board Chair Randy Howard praised the president's leadership.

“We sleep well knowing that you and, as you say, your team are on top of things, never sitting still but always moving forward but always looking to improve the things that matter to us, student success, the experience, the campus, how we support the community," Howard said. "And we greatly appreciate all you do for us.”

LoBasso thanked Howard and said is looking forward to accomplishing more goals.

While no other board members spoke during Wednesday's meeting, they were more talkative during an April workshop at which they discussed LoBasso's contract. Members urged board chair Randy Howard to see if LoBasso would agree to extend the deal, which currently ends on June 30, 2026, out two more years, as they were more than pleased with his performance.

Lloyd Freckleton, after hearing LoBasso's overall compensation was greater than most other state college presidents, said: “When you can reach his status of what he’s doing, then you can talk to us, because there’s nobody out there that can compare to him.”

Another board member, Randy Dye, said: “Average is not the position that I want him to be in.”

The two-year extension was not part of the final contract amendment approved Wednesday.

LoBasso has seen his pay increase by 55% since being named interim president in January 2015.

By making $336,647 this year, LoBasso had the 9th highest base salary among Florida State College System presidents. He was also given a $35,000 additional payout when his contract was renewed in 2023.

LoBasso's salary was greater than the average of the 28 institutions’ leaders, $310,588.55.

First was Miami-Dade President Madeline Pumariega, who has served there since 2020. She is making $413,744, according to Florida Department of Education data.

Other schools’ presidents earning the most, in order continue with No. 2, Indian River, then Eastern Florida, St. Petersburg, Palm Beach, Florida State College of Jacksonville, Valencia and Florida SouthWestern.

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