The former Moravia Central School District superintendent will receive more than $285,000 in severance.
That's one term of the separation agreement between the district and former superintendent John Birmingham, which 水果派AV obtained Tuesday through a Freedom of Information Law request. The agreement also provides Birmingham and his dependents with retiree health insurance despite him not meeting the 10-year service requirement, and the district will pay the vast majority of its premiums.
In exchange, the agreement says, Birmingham cannot bring any legal claims against the district or its board of education.
The board approved the agreement at a special meeting June 30, and Birmingham's resignation took effect July 1. The agreement followed the district's announcement June 9 that its superintendent since 2016 was taking a voluntary leave of absence. He had a five-year contract with the district lasting through June 2028.
People are also reading…
Birmingham's severance of $285,689, which represents 18 months of his salary, will be paid by July 15, according to the agreement. He is also entitled to payment of $14,867.50 for 19 unused vacation days ($782.50 per day), and $122,852.50 from 157 unused sick days will be applied toward his health insurance premiums. The district will pay 90% of his premiums and 80% of his dependents'.
Along with prohibiting Birmingham from bringing legal claims against the district or board, the agreement prohibits each party from disparaging, criticizing or defaming the other.聽
None of the benefits that Birmingham receives, nor any other conditions of the agreement, "shall be construed as an admission of liability or wrongdoing" by him or the board, the agreement says. It also notes that neither party is prohibited from truthfully responding to any legal proceeding or government investigation.
Similarly, Birmingham is allowed to discuss the reason for his separation with search consultants and potential employers, the agreement says. The board provided him a letter of recommendation as well.
"John has guided the district with a clear focus on academic excellence and continuous improvement. Under his leadership, our schools have seen notable gains in student performance on state assessments, the result of carefully developed district goals and the implementation of high-impact instructional strategies," the letter says. "John Birmingham possesses the qualities of an outstanding superintendent. The board is grateful for his years of consistent service, and we are confident he will continue to make a positive impact wherever he may serve next."
Neither board President Neil R. Stevens nor acting Moravia Superintendent Concetta Galvan, who was appointed by the board last month, responded to requests for comment on the agreement by 水果派AV. When Stevens was previously asked by 水果派AV to provide a copy of it, he said he couldn't because the separation is "a personnel issue."
Birmingham previously declined comment on his leave to 水果派AV.
The agreement was approved at a special meeting on June 30, the board president said.
The Trump administration has moved to freeze $6.8 billion in education funds nationwide, with at least $811 million of that from California.聽 The grants, allocated by Congress, were intended for programs such as English language learning, after-school and summer activities, and adult literacy.聽 The administration said the freeze is part of an effort to ensure spending aligns with President Donald Trump鈥檚 priorities.聽 Officials have stressed that no final decision had been made on releasing the funds, citing instances of expenditures that may breach policy.聽 鈥淭he Department remains committed to ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President鈥檚 priorities and the Department鈥檚 statutory responsibilities,鈥 the US Department of Education said in a statement. Schools and day camp providers warn that the freeze could harm low-income families this summer and into fall. Programs had expected the funds by July 1, but the department announced the money would be withheld pending a review.聽 Critics argue the freeze disrupts planned programs and staffing already budgeted. California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond called the move 鈥渨orse than we imagined,鈥 saying it is 鈥渋llegal鈥 and will immediately harm students.聽
Staff writer Kelly Rocheleau can be reached at (315) 282-2243 or kelly.rocheleau@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @KellyRocheleau.