Dr Stephen Lowder, formally resigned as Superintendent of Hemet Unified School District. The resignation, which is effective June 30, was tendered Tuesday, May 1 at a special HUSD board meeting preceding the board’s regular meeting Tuesday evening.
At the beginning of the regular meeting, HUSD President Bill Sanborn announced that the board and Lowder had agreed to a mutual separation agreement. Although the district will continue to pay Lowder through June 30, his final day of work was Monday, April 30.
Last week, the Stockton Unified School District board voted to offer Lowder a contract as that district’s superintendent.
The agreement was adopted 6-0, with Director Paul Bakkom, who is out of the country, did not vote.
Also 6-0, the board appointed Deputy Superintendent Dr. LaFaye Platter to be the temporary interim superintendent.
In the near future, Sanborn announced the board will decide upon a permanent appointment of interim Superintendent and will also begin the process for finding a permanent replacement for Lowder.
Lowder remains in a paid leave status through June 30 without any assigned duties. HUSD will continue to pay his health and welfare benefits through that date, but has discontinued long-term disability, life insurance and automobile allowance.
If Lowder begins work at SUSD district prior to July 1, he is supposed to inform the board and “all compensation and all fringe benefits of employment of any kind shall cease immediately,” pursuant to the section 2 d. of the agreement.
