DeSoto Pays Ex-Superintendent $188,000 for a Day's Work

Augustine's severance pay equal to one year on the job

The DeSoto Independent School District has decided to pay Kathy Augustine $188,000 after cutting ties with the superintendent who served one day on the job.

In August, school trustees negotiated a voluntary exit agreement Superintendent Kathy Augustine, who was caught in the fallout of Atlanta's test-cheating scandal.

The district, which has about 9,000, hired Augustine in April for $188,000 per year.

Augustine received $31,333 while on paid leave and the DeSoto ISD added $156,666 to complete the severance package which equals one year of Augustine's annual pay.

In August, trustee Aubrey Hooper said that while it was "problematic" that it would cost the district money to end the contract, "we have to make the decision that's in the best interest of our kids."

Board president Warren Seay Jr. said the district wanted the focus to be on student success. "When the media's gone and all the distractions are gone, DeSoto will be successful," he said.

Augustine, a former deputy Atlanta school superintendent, is accused of giving "false information" to state officials during a massive investigation into allegations of widespread cheating within the Georgia district.

The investigation named 178 educators, including principals and high-ranking school officials, as participants in the scandal. A report released last month by special investigators appointed by Georgia's governor said they confirmed cheating in 44 of 55 schools examined.

Augustine has denied having knowledge of test cheating in Atlanta.

Past Coverage:
Embattled New Super to Leave DeSoto
New DeSoto Administrator's Future Unfolding
New DeSoto Superintendent on Paid Leave
DeSoto's New Super Investigated in Cheating Scandal

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