MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News)- The Monroe City School Board voted 6-1 to buy
out Kathleen Harris' contract for $102,500.00, in exchange for Harris'
resignation.
Monroe City School leaders set aside the day for a hearing discussing the nine-different charges filed against superintendent Kathleen Harris. But for Monroe City School Board members, the day didn't go quite as planned.
The hearing was supposed to begin at 1 p.m. But Harris' attorney James Madison didn't show up until 2:15 p.m. The board discussed delaying the hearing, but a majority of the board struck that motion down. In the end after over 4 hours of closed door discussions between board president Verbon Muhammad and the attorney's involved in the case, it became apparent no hearing would take place. Instead, the school board voted 6-1 to buy out Kathleen Harris' contract for $102,500.00, in exchange for Harris' resignation.
"We agreed to the settlement and it's time to move on, I've been very happy being the superintendent of Monroe City Schools, but you get to the point where there is too much tumult and not enough support, then it's just time to move on." said former superintendent Kathleen Harris.
School board member Vickie Krutzer cast the only opposing vote, she feels the hearing should have gone on as planned. "We've put the district through all this, I'm just not in agreement of settling." said Krutzer. But board member Vickie Dayton says she voted for the settlement to bring an end to what she calls "disruption and damage" caused to the district through the process. "I could foresee that the legal issues were not going to end and the expenses will add up and the expenses will outweigh the settlement. I just believe it's time to stop this and move on." said Dayton.
Still, Krutzer says the buyout isn't a good look for the board. "This is the second superintendent that we've negotiated with, we're getting a reputation for that, wouldn't you think?"
Board attorney Douglas Lawrence says money pays for her vacation and sick days and the rest of her contract. But nothing extra.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:27 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:27:30 GMT
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