ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — The Rock Island-Milan School District has voted to terminate the contract of its superintendent, Dr. Reginald Lawrence.
At an April 25 meeting, the board said it reached a mutual agreement with Lawrence on his resignation. His contract will end on June 3.
The board added that because this was a breach of contract, the district will pay him $350,000.
The decision came just before the school board swore in three new members forming a new school board.
Several people spoke at the meeting in support of Lawrence and also expressed disappointment towards the board.
"Having a vote today to act on this is not fiscally responsible," one man said. "Buying out a contract, if that's the case — allow this next board to come in and see how well they fit."
"The board appears to me, to be more concerned about personalities, animosity, disrespect, but forgot about why you are board members," one woman said. "You are to take care of our kids."
Based on public documents, there have been several meetings about Dr. Lawrence's performance at previous board meetings.
However, the board voted to make the minutes, or public transcripts, of several of these meetings confidential.
The board has not made any public statements on why Lawrence is fired.
Lawrence himself declined to speak with media at the April 25 meeting.
The board distributed the following statement Wednesday afternoon:
"Effective June 3, 2023, Dr. Lawrence will be relieved of his duties as Superintendent of Rock Island-Milan School District 41. Dr. Lawrence has served Rock Island-Milan for nearly four years. This is a mutual agreement between the Superintendent and Board of Education.
"The Board thanks Dr. Lawrence for his service and dedication to the students of District 41 and expresses its best wishes to him and his future endeavors. Dr. Lawrence wishes the best to the District 41 community."