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ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Former Cowley College President Clark Williams, who resigned in April amid controversy over some of his decisions, could receive more than $200,000 in salary and benefits under a separation agreement signed in August.
In return, Williams is prohibited from suing the college or competing against it, according to The Arkansas City Traveler (http://bit.ly/1BBhwux ), which received the separation agreement Tuesday after filing an open records request.
Williams resigned after only nine months on the job amid criticism about his decisions, including ending the men's and women's soccer programs and firing longtime men's basketball coach Tommy DeSalme. Williams resigned after more than 200 people attended a special board of trustees meeting in April to protest his decisions.
After a public outcry, the soccer programs were reinstated and DeSalme was rehired.
The settlement agreement, which took effect Aug. 20, will pay Williams a total of $224,640 through July 2015. The agreement provides three to four months more pay than required in his original employment contract in the event of an unjust firing.
Under his original contract, Williams earned $163,000 in annual salary and benefits, making him the fourth highest-paid Kansas community college leader.
The agreement prohibits either Williams or college officials from discussing its terms. College trustees declined to comment or didn't return telephone calls after the newspaper obtained a copy of the agreement.
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Information from: The Arkansas City (Kan.) Traveler, http://www.arkcity.net
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