MT. VERNON — The Mt. Vernon Township High School Board of Education has reached a mutual separation agreement with Superintendent Dr. Michael E. Smith, according to a press release given to the media at Monday night’s regular meeting. The agreement was dated Monday and the contractual relationship will end effective June 30, 2017.
In a letter included as part of a 10-page media packet, Board President Matthew Flanigan said, “It is important to the parties that this is not a result of fault or misconduct, but would best be described as differences in philosophical direction and approach.”
MVTHS hired Smith in 2009 to replace outgoing Superintendent Terry Milt who left to become the Superintendent of the Dupo School District.
The agreement allows for Smith to utilize 10 days of unused vacation and 24 consecutive days of sick leave between May 15 and June 30, 2017. Smith will also receive all due compensation and benefits through June 30 according to the terms of his most recent contract from June 17, 2013. He is also set to receive payment for 20 unused vacation days for the 2016-17 contract year and 10 unused vacation days for the 2017-18 school year.
Smith will also receive a severance payment of $187,025 and the district will submit 90 sick days to the Teacher Retirement System for creditable service. In exchange for the waiver of the Superintendent’s rights under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, the District 201 will pay Smith a lump sum $12,534.00 for health insurance/disability benefits. The district will also provide Smith with a letter of reference.
The Board will immediately begin the process of searching for a new MVTHS Superintendent with their intent to have a new Superintendent in place by July 1. The Board will seek the assistance of Regional Superintendent of Schools Ron Daniels, Illinois Association of School Boards, Illinois Association of School Administrators and Illinois State Board of Education during the transition period.
READ THE ENTIRE SEPARATION AGREEMENT HERE