Dubuque board fires superintendent

DUBUQUE - After more than an hour in closed session last night, the Dubuque school board returned with a unanimous decision to fire superintendent Larie Godinez.

Godinez had held the position since 2009 and was being paid $180,000 a year. An employment termination agreement released after the meeting provides about six months' severance pay - a lump sum of $80,104, payable on the eighth calendar day after the agreement is signed, and $15,000 in salary for June.

“Looking at the last time the district had a separation, factoring in the cost of living, it was pretty similar to what has been done in the past,” board President Craig Beytien said of the terms.

Godinez did not attend Wednesday night's meeting.

The agreement also includes confidentiality clauses between Godinez and the school district, as well as a stipulation that “the District does not admit” that it or any staff members have done anything wrong.

Godinez and the district also agree to split costs for the legal work executed to this point.