School board cuts Williams’ settlement in half
Last day of work moved up to today, Dec. 21
Last day of work moved up to today, Dec. 21–The Paso Robles school board met yesterday in closed session and agreed unanimously to revise downward the settlement awarded to outgoing superintendent Chris Williams.
The previous board agreed to give Chris Williams $250,000 dollars in pay and benefits with his resignation. After three hours discussion in closed session the new board agreed yesterday to reduce that by about half. Additionally, Chris Williams last day of work is moved up from Feb. 6 to today, Dec. 21.
About ten people spoke out during public comment; all but one were against awarding the former superintendent any money. That included teachers, community members, and teachers union Representative Jim Linnett.
Newly elected trustee Chris Arend said, “I’m still very upset by the decision, but the previous board laid a cuckoos egg in our nest, and as an attorney I’ve learned sometimes you have to settle. We had to do this to avoid expensive litigation.”
The settlement ends four tumultuous years which saw the district plummet from having a reserve fund of over $7.5 million dollars to the brink of bankruptcy. According to the most recent financial report released shortly after Williams’ resignation, if current spending continues, the district will be broke in 18 months.
Former Superintendent Julian Crocker will take over Jan. 1, 2019. He will work with administrators and the school board to cut costs and recapture the reserve fund exhausted during Williams tenure as superintendent. The County Office of Education will pay Crocker’s salary.
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