Southern Lehigh School Board Approves $250K Separation for Superintendent

The Controversial Separation Agreement with Southern Lehigh School Superintendent

The Southern Lehigh School Board recently approved a separation agreement with its superintendent, Michael Mahon, in a closely contested vote. The decision marked the end of Mahon’s five-month paid administrative leave and included a financial package that totaled over $245,000. This amount was intended to settle mutual claims that could have led to legal action, while also covering remaining salary and vacation days.

The agreement was approved by a narrow 5-4 vote, with board president Stephen Maund and members Nicole King, Mary Joy Reinartz, Melissa Torba, and Christopher Wayock supporting it. Opposing the deal were Eric Boyer, Emily Gehman, Timothy Kearney, and Candi Kruse. The separation package also includes a provision for Mahon to receive health care benefits until he reaches the age of 65, despite being only 57 years old.

In addition to the financial terms, the agreement includes a release of claims, which covers $25,000 in attorneys’ fees for Mahon’s legal team. It also stipulates that all disciplinary or investigatory documents will be removed from his personnel file.

During public comment at the meeting, Mahon expressed gratitude for his time with the district, stating that he had not initiated his resignation. He emphasized that he had hoped to address what he described as “profoundly unfair allegations” against him. However, some board members disputed this sentiment, particularly Eric Boyer, who objected to a previous statement issued by the board and Mahon that affirmed his performance and conduct.

Performance Concerns and Employee Complaints

The board has faced several concerns regarding Mahon's leadership, including complaints from employees about discrimination, a hostile work environment, and retaliation. Additionally, there were issues with the rollout of a student information system, which was criticized for being glitchy and difficult to use.

An external review of employment matters reportedly affirmed Mahon’s professional judgment and conduct. However, internal investigations into specific employee complaints found that some disciplinary actions taken against an employee, Ethan Ake-Little, were not justified. Ake-Little, who is Indian American and married to a same-sex partner, alleged discrimination based on race/ethnicity and sexual orientation. The investigation concluded that while no substantiated claims of discrimination were found, certain disciplinary actions were unwarranted.

A second complaint from Ake-Little alleged retaliation by Mahon and board members, as well as harassment. While no evidence of retaliation was found, the investigation noted performance deficiencies on Mahon’s part related to the allegations.

Following the publication of an article detailing these complaints, Ake-Little was suspended with pay pending an investigation into his job performance. He remains on leave and has not commented on the separation agreement.

Political Tensions and Legal Concerns

The situation has sparked political tensions within the board. Former board president Emily Gehman faced backlash after publicly criticizing Mahon, leading to her removal as president during a June meeting. During this meeting, it was revealed that another investigation was underway, alleging fraudulent activity by Mahon that Gehman had previously investigated.

Gehman criticized the separation agreement, arguing that it contradicted the district’s investigative findings and questioned whether the payout was legally justified. She claimed the agreement was more about protecting personal interests than limiting liability, especially in the context of an upcoming election year.

Legal experts involved in the process, including solicitor John Freund, assured that the agreements met legal standards. Board members such as Maund and Torba expressed confidence in the legal review, although some voiced frustration over the prolonged conflict that had consumed board meetings.

Moving Forward

Despite the controversy, some board members emphasized the need to move forward. Torba apologized for the distraction caused by the ongoing dispute, while others, like Maund and Wayock, who are running for re-election, called for a focus on improving district operations.

Several candidates running for school board in November attended the meeting, expressing disappointment with the lack of transparency. Luis Melecio, Kimberly Jaramillo, and Josh Rager criticized the agreement as a "golden parachute" and a reward for failure, questioning how it served the best interests of the district and taxpayers.

Maund and Wayock urged the board to prioritize professional development and return to its core responsibilities. They acknowledged that while the situation was challenging, it was time to refocus on the needs of students, staff, and the community.