$98,000 cost to Campbell's departure

'Cost of Campbell's 'voluntary' departure: $98,000, says WUSD'

By Steve Marschke

News-Ledger Editor

Former school superintendent Patrick Campbell received a severance package including paid administrative leave and health benefits through April of 2007 following his departure from duty at Washington Unified School District in December. Campbell’s unused vacation time and administrative leave will keep him on the WUSD payroll through June of this year.

“The cost of salary, statutory benefits and health and welfare benefits covered under the agreement is approximately $98,000,” Assistant Superintendent for Business Vicky Dali told the News-Ledger.

The “settlement agreement and mutual release” signed by school board president Kevin Jones and by Campbell includes a nod to Campbell’s service to the district “with distinction for many years” and a statement that Campbell “has determined he voluntarily wants to retire from active employment as a Superintendent.”

The school board had given Campbell a raise and contract extension about a half-year before he announced his resignation, and according to the agreement, the paid leave and benefits package replaces the remaining 18 months on Campbell’s contract.

Various district sources have said that some board members pressured Campbell to leave. The former superintendent’s job performance was the subject of a number of closed-door meetings in mid-to-late 2005.

The school district is now being steered by an interim superintendent, David Tooker, and the search for a long-term replacement is underway.