Ex-superintendent to get over $500K from district

"The Palo Alto Unified School District will pay former Superintendent Don Austin $596,802 in exchange for his resignation, according to a settlement agreement obtained by the Post today (Feb. 24). The payments add up to 17 months of his salary. This includes his $35,106 monthly paycheck through June 30, a $331,272 payment on Aug. 1, and a $90,000 payment on Jan. 15."

"Austin and his wife will get full health benefits from the district until June 30, 2027, the agreement said. Austin will also get $500 per hour to cooperate with the district on any 'claim, dispute, negotiation, investigation or proceeding' that he was directly involved with, the agreement said."

"In an interview, board member Rowena Chiu said she was surprised to hear Austin left, and her first time seeing the agreement was when she voted on it. She said she wasn't sure how the agreement came about and wasn't a part of negotiations. 'I personally don't think I could have influenced the settlement agreement in any way,' Chiu said."

Palo Alto Unified School District settled with former Superintendent Don Austin by providing $596,802 in total compensation for his resignation. The payment includes his monthly salary through June 30, a lump sum of $331,272 in August, and $90,000 in January. Austin and his wife retain full health benefits until June 30, 2027. The agreement includes a $500 per hour consulting fee for his cooperation on district matters. Both parties agreed to mutual non-disparagement and non-litigation clauses. Board member Rowena Chiu expressed concern about the lack of transparency in the negotiation process, noting she was not involved in discussions and only learned details when voting on the agreement.

Read at Padailypost