Director of Schools Mark Willoughby to Step Down Thursday, April 16

Mark Willoughby’s last day as Director of Schools will be Thursday, April 16.
Director Willoughby has agreed to terms in a negotiated settlement as offered by the Board of Education. The agreement was signed today (Thursday) by Director Willoughby and Chairman W.J. (Dub) Evins, III, on behalf of the School Board.
“I wish Mr. Willoughby only the best in his retirement and hope he enjoys being with his family,” said Chairman Evins.
Under the agreement, Willoughby’s tenure as Director will end by the close of business on Thursday, April 16. He will be paid his salary and receive all insurance benefits through June 30th, the day Willoughby had announced last month to be the date of his retirement. Funds are already in the school system’s budget to pay Willoughby.
An interim Director is expected to be named by the Board of Education on Thursday, April 16.
Willoughby has served as Director of Schools since July 1, 2006. His current contract, approved last year, was supposed to run through June 30, 2017.
The actual “buyout” agreement is as follows:
Negotiated Settlement Agreement Release of All Claims
“Know All Men by These Presents:
“That, Mark B. Willoughby, Director of Schools for the DeKalb County, Tennessee school system (hereinafter, “Mr. Willoughby” or “Releasor”) , for and in consideration of the sums stated herein, does hereby release and discharge the DeKalb County, Tennessee Board of Education from the present contractual agreement to serve as Director of Schools.”
“For, and in consideration of the execution of this Release, the School System agrees to pay to Mr. Willoughby:
(1) The salary established for the position of Director of Schools that he formerly occupied, such salary amount being the same as the salary rate paid upon the effective date of the purchase of his contract, and for a period extending through June 30, 2015;
(2) All insurance benefits in effect on April 6, 2015 through and including a period ending on June 30, 2015
(3) During the term of this agreement, no additional personal leave days shall accrue and salary and benefit payments shall not increase or decrease.
(4) Such salary and benefits shall be paid upon the regularly scheduled dates established by policy or practice for all currently employed licensed personnel.”
“Mr. Willoughby shall return keys, computers, telephones, credit cards, other property of any sort or type and any other school owned or leased assets in his possession to the secretary to the Board by the close of business on April 16, 2015.”
“The parties further agree that they will not disparage each other in any manner or medium of communication, to any persons or entities, regardless of whether they are public or private, or of a professional or personal nature.”
“This Release is entered into in the State of Tennessee and shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee. Any legal proceeding brought to enforce or interpret the provisions of this Release shall be brought in the trial courts for DeKalb County in the State of Tennessee. The parties consent to jurisdiction and venue in said court.”