After a closed session that ran more than an hour into the
scheduled board meeting, the Gilroy Unified School District board
of trustees announced the approval of a settlement agreement of
resignation with Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources,
Michael Lyons.
After a closed session that ran more than an hour into the scheduled board meeting, the Gilroy Unified School District board of trustees announced the approval of a settlement agreement of resignation with Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Michael Lyons.
After expressing her sincere apologies for the wait, President Rhoda Bress said that the matter was “something that just couldn’t be avoided.”
The terms of the agreement dictate that Lyons will tender his resignation Oct. 30 or when he obtains alternative employment, whichever happens first. He will immediately be placed on a medical leave of absence pending his resignation.
He will be paid during this leave, Bress said. If Lyons’ pay during the leave is pro rated according to his annual compensation, it will cost the district more than $120,000 including salary and health and retirement benefits, according to district documents.
Superintendent Deborah Flores will assume responsibility for any issues pertaining to human resources, pending further notice.
Although three topics were up for discussion at the three-hour closed session, only this matter was reported to the public.
The board reached the unanimous decision after trustee Francisco Dominguez made a motion that was seconded by trustee Patricia Midtgaard.
“After careful deliberation, the board of education has decided that acceptance of this settlement is in the best interest of the Gilroy Unified School District,” Bress said.
Lyons was neither present at the open or closed session.
Bress concluded the report by announcing that “although the settlement agreement is a public record, both parties have agreed not to discuss this matter any further.”
Lyons is the second of three assistant superintendents to announce resignation within two weeks. Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services Steve Brinkman said last week that he will start a similar job with the Pasadena Unified School District Feb. 4.
Lyons was hired by the GUSD in August after coming to Gilroy from Stockton Unified School District. Lyons faces three separate lawsuits filed by current and former employees of the SUSD, alleging that he committed acts of discrimination, harassment and retaliation.
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