Sarasota Schools Superintendent Todd Bowden has agreed to step down from his post.
A “mutual separation agreement” was announced Monday evening by Sarasota schools spokeswoman Tracey Beeker, a week after a contentious five-hour school board meeting that saw dozens of residents call for his ouster.
The school board must meet on November 19 to decide whether or not to approve the deal.
According to the terms, Bowden would go on paid leave through the end of the year, then receive a severance of 20 weeks’ pay. He would also be reimbursed for legal fees amounting to $65,000.
Bowden’s critics say he failed to act swiftly enough when he learned in April that his top deputy, Jeff Maultsby, was accused of sexually harassing a co-worker, Cheraina Bonner.
Maultsby resigned last month. Bonner is suing the school board for discrimination.
Until now, Bowden had said he hoped to stay on as superintendent, though he did propose leaving the post in exchange for another job in the school district, overseeing facilities, at a salary of $175,000 per year for 10 years.
That proposal was roundly criticized at the school board meeting last week.
Bowden was named superintendent in 2016 and began serving in the role in March 2017.
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