Media Releases

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Details released regarding departure of Superintendent of Schools

At a special board meeting held last week, the Board of Trustees voted to engage Clause 3.2 of its employment contract with the Superintendent of Schools. This clause states that:

3.2 Termination on Notice -- The Superintendent may terminate employment with the Board without cause or providing reasons therefore, by giving the Board not less than 6 months' written notice of termination. The Board may terminate the employment of the Superintendent without cause or providing reasons therefore by providing the Superintendent 365 calendar days written notice or pay in lieu. In the event that the Board does not give the Superintendent 365 calendar days written notice of termination the Board may still terminate, but will pay the Superintendent one day's pay for each calendar day that the Board's notice is deficient.

The motion was carried by a vote of 7 to 2.

A 'no cause' provision, such as Clause 3.2, is a typical feature in executive management contracts, which allows both the employer and the employee the opportunity to end the employment relationship without any allegations of fault or, in fact, any reason being alleged on either side.

"The Board of Trustees wishes Mr. Thomson all the best in his future endeavors," said Board Chair Bev Esslinger.

As stipulated in his employment contract, Mr. Thomson, whose annual salary was $179,000, will receive a severance package of one year's salary.

The search for a new Superintendent of Schools will begin immediately.

Edmonton Public Schools is the second largest school district in Alberta and the fifth largest public school district in Canada with 199 schools, 80,000 students and more than 7,000 employees.

Contact:
Lisa Austin
Director of Communications
(780) 429-8043
(780) 952-1770