Agreement details terms of City High principal's resignation

IOWA CITY - City High Principal Mark Hanson, who resigned last month for unspecified reasons, will receive $15,000 as part of a separation agreement with the district.

The agreement was released Friday following a request under Iowa's open records law. See the full document below.

The school district also agreed to pay Hanson his full $126,132 salary and benefits this year and provide Hanson “mutually acceptable” letters of recommendation.

In exchange, Hanson promised not to sue the district, stay on the job through June 30 and not seek future employment with the district.

Superintendent Lane Plugge would not comment on the agreement, which was signed Feb. 10. He did confirm that it is unusual for the district and an employee who voluntarily resigned to sign such an agreement.

Hanson also declined to address the agreement. “It is what it is,” he said.

There's been a lot of speculation about why Hanson offered his resignation. About 70 supporters attended a school board meeting last month to ask the board to not accept Hanson's resignation, with many suggesting Hanson was forced out.

The board voted unanimously to accept the resignation, noting that Hanson had voluntarily submitted it. Asked Friday if he could clarify his reasons for resigning and whether it was fully his decision, Hanson said, “I really can't comment on that either.”

Hanson, who has been City High's principal since 2001, made clear his love for the school.

“I will always treasure all my years at City High, and I just absolutely, dearly love the students and staff at my school, and I'm going to miss them terribly,” he said.

Hanson said he is “anxious to look at other employment opportunities and get a fresh start someplace else.” He said he wants to remain in education as an administrator.

Hanson Agreement