Early ISD Superintendent Brett Koch submitted his resignation to the school board Monday night during the monthly school board meeting after being with the district for 9 years. After a closed session, members of the board accepted an agreement with Koch in a 5-2 vote.
Koch was under contract with Early ISD through June 30, 2016. According to Board President Shawn Russell, Koch tendered his resignation effective June 30, 2014 in exchange for salary through December 31, 2014. The agreement states that Koch would resign effective June 30, 2014, be paid a salary through July 31, 2014 and would receive a lump sum payment of $42,241.65 on or before August 15, 2014. These payments would be instead of salary and full benefits through June 30, 2016. The source of the payment would be from the general fund of Early ISD, said Russell.
Former EISD board member Pat Mooney gave a statement during the public meeting portion before the vote was taken.
“I was here to support our current superintendent; we are friends. I consider this a black day in the history of Early ISD,” said Mooney. “I don’t know what has happened since I left the board and whatever it is, is something I am not privy to, and that’s as it should be I guess. I know from my time on the board what Mr. Koch has accomplished in terms of academics, in terms of finances. I know these last couple of years have been kind of difficult; they have been difficult across the board. I know enrollment is an issue, that’s out of his control. I don’t have anything other to say other than I am very disappointed that it has come to this point. It is a black day for this district.”
Russell gave a statement on behalf of the EISD Board.
“The Early ISD board of trustees and the superintendent have reached an agreement and the superintendent has resigned effective June 30, 2014,” Russell said. “As all of you know, Mr. Koch has been with our district for nine years. He is a phenomenal man, an excellent community man and we are appreciative of the work and the job he has done for the past nine years.”
Pictured is Koch signing the agreement at Monday night’s school board meeting.
