Here’s how much severance pay, other cash Orange County Schools superintendent will get

Orange County Schools Superintendent Monique Felder, who announced last week she will leave the district Wednesday, will receive over $200,000 in severance pay and other financial compensation, public records show.

Felder, who has led the 7,000-student system based in Hillsborough for over 3 1/2 years, is leaving for undisclosed reasons.

Her contract does not run out until June 30, 2025, but the school board chose not to extend it further earlier this year, Indy Week reported.

The school board chair and other members contacted by The News & Observer, have not responded or said they could not speak about her departure.

The personnel agreement released by the district is dated Friday and says only that her leaving is voluntary, not a termination and “in the best interest of both parties.”

According to the agreement, a public record that The N&O requested, Felder will receive $195,454 — her current salary — in severance pay.

She also will get $2,600 to help continue health and dental insurance coverage, as well as compensation for any unused leave time she has left.

Felder’s personnel file will be sealed, the document states.

Interim superintendent’s salary

The school board quickly named former Wake County Public School System Superintendent Jim Merrill as interim superintendent from Aug. 3 to Jan 31, 2024, or until a new permanent superintendent is hired.

He will receive $21,500 per month, according to draft contract information released Tuesday morning by the school system. The contract also authorizes three days before his official start date for consulting, for which Merrill will get $1,000 per day.

This story was originally published August 1, 2023 at 9:18 AM.