Superintendent resignation agreement

By Stacey Cameron, NEWS 9

A settlement agreement approved upon by the city's school board called for both the resignation of Oklahoma City Public Schools superintendent and the chairman of the board.

Superintendent John Porter and chairman of the school board Cliff Hudson both resigned from their posts yesterday as part of a settlement agreement. Porter was not physically at the special meeting called by the board, but did submit his resignation agreement. The board approved the agreement in a six to one vote.  

The settlement included Porter's dismissal of a lawsuit against Oklahoma City Public Schools and gave the former superintendent more than $71,000 in salary and health benefit restitutions.

"[It's] pretty much sealed. He's no longer employed as superintendent," said school board member Wilfredo Santos Rivera.

The only board member to vote against Porter's resignation, Rivera said the board never gave Porter a fair chance to defend himself.

"We didn't get a satisfactory resolution from my point of view," said Rivera.

Porter's agreement also called for Hudson's resignation.

"Part of the agreement is that the agreement speaks for itself," said Hudson.

Oklahoma City schools now face the task of replacing two of its two most powerful figures. The board said it will now begin a search for a new superintendent--much like it did in finding Porter last year.

Joseph Clytus, vice chairman of the school board, will assume chairman duties for now.