FILE: Keith Hale, the former superintendent of Glasgow Independent Schools, speaks during an earlier meeting held at the school system’s central office along S.L. Rogers Wells Boulevard. He was paid nearly $148,000 in excess for accrued sick leave, according to newly obtained documents from the Kentucky Department of Education.
(BRENNAN CRAIN/WCLU NEWS)
BY BRENNAN D. CRAIN, WCLU News
GLASGOW — Keith Hale, the former superintendent of Glasgow Independent Schools, was overpaid for accrued sick days when he retired, according to newly obtained documents.
Hale retired effective June 30, 2022. He was expected to serve as superintendent through June 2024 but announced an abrupt retirement on May 10. He cited health concerns in an email to employees of the school district.
State law allows a district board of education to compensate an employee or teacher for each unused sick leave day upon retirement. The rate of compensation is based upon a percentage of the daily salary rate calculated from the employee’s last salary. It cannot exceed 30%.
“Hale was paid the daily rate for his accumulated days,” according to an Aug. 16 email obtained from the Kentucky Department of Education.
WCLU News has learned from KDE that Hale was paid $147,720.35 upon his retirement. A daily rate means he was paid as if he had worked those accumulated days entirely.
Hale’s employment contract was amended April 20, 2020, to reflect a $5,000 raise and a statement specifying how he would be paid for “the remainder of his accumulated sick days based upon his daily threshold rate,” despite state law’s maximum allowance of 30%.
“I have witnessed many questionable activities and poor business practices over the years of superintendents,” said an email from Interim Superintendent Larry Hammond to KDE. “I have shared such a finding with the Glasgow Board that needs to be addressed.”
A special-called meeting was planned to “develop a plan to re-coup the funds.” It appears the school board discussed the matter during an Aug. 18 closed session.
Regina Jackson, an attorney with English, Lucas, Priest & Owsley Law, was expected to attend that meeting to discuss “options” regarding the matter.
WCLU News sought comment from Glasgow Independent Schools through email inquiries to Thomas Davis, the board attorney, to no avail. It remains unclear if any of the funds have been recouped.
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