FAMU trustees schedule special meeting to discuss Timothy Beard's employment agreement

One day after Florida A&M University's trustees accepted President Larry Robinson's resignation and approved Timothy Beard as its sole choice to take the helm as interim, the board scheduled a special meeting to discuss Beard's employment agreement.

The meeting is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday via Zoom and is open to the public.

A draft of Beard's contract for interim president released Thursday shows that his annual base salary would be $400,000. Compensation and benefits would include living in the FAMU president's house on campus, car expenses reimbursement, an annual $5,000 for FAMU-related entertainment and travel, and club memberships.

During the board's Tuesday meeting, trustees decided that Robinson's last day will be Aug. 4, allowing for Beard — a Port St. Joe native and recently retired president of Pasco-Hernando State College — to start Aug. 5.

More on Timothy Beard: From homeless to the 'highest of seven hills': Meet the likely FAMU interim president

Trustees agreed that Beard will serve as interim president for 12 months or until the board completes a search for FAMU’s 13th president.

But to make things official, Beard's contract needs to be approved.

Trustees chair Kristin Harper said she would be negotiating the contract with Beard, which is subject to final approval by the Board of Trustees and confirmation by the state's governing board.

Beard told the Tallahassee Democrat that while he served as PHSC’s president during his nearly nine-year tenure, his last salary was about $325,000. His compensation included full medical and healthcare payments, a $23,000 annuity, an annual $12,000 for automobile expenses, disability insurance and retirement.

Robinson’s current salary at FAMU is $451,711.

Following the Board of Trustees’ expected approval of an employment agreement, discussions about a banking resolution and Beard’s Aug. 5 start date, Beard will attend the board’s annual retreat from Aug. 7 to Aug. 8 in Orlando — an event that will give trustees the opportunity to get better acquainted with him.

How to listen in, comment at Monday meeting

• Log on using the Zoom link provided on the FAMU board’s website : https://famu.zoom.us/j/94481443869?pwd=IbZ45NR7Ec5jm0b7H7umeaXlMKNDwN.1.
• Requests to make public comments must be submitted to FAMU Chief of Staff and Board Liaison Linda Barge-Miles at linda.bargemiles@famu.edu by 5 p.m. the day before the meeting. They must note the agenda topic that will be addressed, according to the university.

Editor's Note: This story was updated Thursday, July 25.

Contact Tarah Jean at tjean@tallahassee.com or follow her on X: @tarahjean_ .

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU trustees schedule special meeting to discuss Timothy Beard's employment agreement