Ed Brand can enjoy retirement earlier than expected.
The Sweetwater High School district’s school board unanimously agreed Monday in closed session to place the superintendent on paid administrative leave, effective July 3 through the end of his contract Oct. 1.
The five trustees — four of whom are temporary trustees from the San Diego County Office of Education — said the move is to assist with finding an interim superintendent.
“We have found that if Dr. Brand were to stay through Oct.1, as his contract states, that there would be a very short time for an interim superintendent,” said board Vice President Sue Hartley. “We just think it is in the best interest of everyone for him to take this time to step aside and let an interim come in and learn about the district so that they can be ready for the new board that comes in early December.”
Brand will collect the remainder of his $252,000 annual salary while on leave.
When the announcement was made the room full of parents and community members cheered and applauded that Brand will no longer be running the show.
Some in the crowd had mixed feelings after letting the news sink in a day later.
“My first reaction was ‘Good.’ It is the first step in healing the district,” said community member Kevin O’Neill.
“Now my reaction is why send the man home with a four-month paid vacation? Give him a specific assignment, which would be to untie the Gordian knot that he created with the purchase of the L Street property.”
Board President John McCann said Brand will be used as a consultant for the trustees for any questions they may have.
Temporary trustee Mark Anderson said there was no separation agreement and that Brand submitted a letter to the current board confirming his retirement on Oct.1.
Anderson also said Brand won’t get paid extra for his consultation.
“He is still being paid by the district so he needs to be available,” Anderson said.
McCann also said Brand’s leave from the district means he will no longer be in charge of the district’s day-to-day operations.
McCann, citing that he can’t comment on matters in closed session, declined to state if it was the board’s decision or
Brand’s decision to place the superintendent on paid administrative leave.
Anderson said he wanted to make it clear that Brand did nothing wrong to warrant him being placed on administrative leave.
“Historically paid leave of absences are disciplinary issues,” Anderson said. “This is not a discipline issue, this is an issue to assist this district in moving forward.”
Brand had announced his re-retirement from the Sweetwater district on May 28, ending a career in which he has served the district in a variety of capacities for more than three decades.
A special meeting was held in closed session Wednesday to discuss appointing an interim superintendent.
Tim Glover of the San Diego County Office of Education was named Wednesday afternoon as interim superintendent.
Brand did not return messages seeking comment.
To vote in a related poll, click here.
