Cambridge Public Schools has reached a financial settlement agreement with the ousted superintendent Victoria Greer, amounting to more than $200,000 in severance pay, reports Boston.com. The School Committee decided to end Greer's contract a year prior to its expiration date without citing "good cause" for the termination. Under the terms of the unexpected separation, Greer will receive $136,581 as severance pay, with an additional $68,290, which is not mandated by her contract, according to a settlement agreement obtained through a public records request.
Following Greer's imminent paid leave starting June 30, official leave from the superintendent position will take place on Aug. 5. This termination follows a wave of controversies that have marred Greer's tenure, from parent criticisms about her hiring decisions to less-than-favorable performance reviews. Specifically, the hiring of Kathleen M. Smith as an elementary school principal, who previously faced an internal investigation at Underwood Elementary in Newton, drew ire from a parent coalition and prompted an external investigation. This is amidst the district's struggles with school climate and the pushback over the elimination of advanced math classes, as detailed by the The Boston Globe.
Despite the challenges and ultimately her severance, Greer's term wasn't devoid of notable accomplishments. She helped reduce rates of chronic absenteeism, introduced new curriculums, extended school hours, and saw that the district's academic achievements returned to pre-pandemic levels. Cambridge Mayor Denise Simmons, along with School Committee Vice-Chair Caroline Hunter, inked the settlement agreement with Greer, who in an email to families expressed sadness about her departure while also conveying optimism about the work her team began.
Further details on Greer's severance include compensation for unused vacation days, a buyback of unused sick leave, and a continuation of health insurance premiums through the end of 2024. Additionally, the district agreed to a $15,000 payment for an annual annuity purchase, as Greer consented to return all district property and desisted from hiring or entering any binding contracts beyond her separation day without committee approval. Meanwhile, the selection process for Greer's replacement has yet to be publicized by the School Committee, leaving the question of leadership in the interim unanswered.
