News alert from Asheville City Schools:
On behalf of the Board, we wanted to let you know that Dr. Gene Freeman will retire as superintendent effective June 15, 2022. This is 5 ½ months earlier than his original announcement and is the result of a negotiated separation agreement.
Per his contract, Dr. Freeman had the right to remain as superintendent until November 30th. Although some may question why we’re buying out the remainder of Dr. Freeman’s contract with 5 ½ months remaining, the School Board is charged with acting in the best, long-term interest of the school district.
We’re focused on having a successful start to the 2022-2023 school year. With June, July and August being crucial months for budgeting, hiring and planning, we believe that a buy-out of Dr. Freeman’s remaining contract is in the best interests of Asheville City Schools, its students, staff, families and greater school community. Doing so allows Dr. Jim Causby to begin his leadership and important work as interim superintendent starting June 16, 2022. Dr. Causby is expected to serve as interim until the Board finds a permanent replacement. After new members are seated in December, the majority-elected Board of Education will begin its search for Asheville City Schools’ new, permanent superintendent.
The financial terms of Dr. Freeman’s contract separation agreement are public by law and are, therefore, listed below.
Negotiated contract buy-out from an undesignated local fund balance for the remaining contract from June 16th, 2022 through November 30, 2022 in the amount of $78,500.00.
Health, dental and vision insurance premium payments through COBRA effective through December 31, 2022 from an undesignated local fund balance in the amount of $4,611.80.
State and local vacation leave payout through November 30, 2022 from an undesignated local fund balance in the amount of $10,903.32.
Further details are confidential, and the Board has no additional information to share about Dr. Freeman at this time.
However, we invite you to join us for the June 13th Board of Education meeting, as we will be introducing Dr. Causby to the Cougar Family at 5:00 PM. Thank you for your support, and we hope you have a wonderful summer.
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