What did Nyack schools pay Yom to leave superintendent job? See details of separation deal

Former Nyack schools Superintendent Susan Yom walked away with roughly the equivalent of a year's salary when she and the district inked a separation agreement that ended her leadership of the district on June 30. The district, in the settlement agreement, also agreed to terminate an unspecified investigation by the board, apparently focused on Yom.

The settlement agreement was obtained by lohud.com via a Freedom of Information Act request.

Yom was amid a three-year contract that went from March 1, 2023, through Feb. 28, 2026. Her base salary was $255,000. The settlement cancels that deal.

The agreement, in laying out the reason for the separation, stated that "certain disagreements have arisen between the board and Yom" and "both parties are desirous of resolving their differences in lieu of any litigation."

Payments, compensation in the settlement

The settlement lays out a $205,460 lump sum payment and another $49,540 deposited in her 403(b) retirement account within 30 days of leaving the district.

The board also agreed to contribute another $5,460 in the 403(b), and provided payment for 17.3 vacation days at $1,062.50 for each day.

Nyack schools: Superintendent Susan Yom out after short, controversial tenure

The district will also pick up 80% of health insurance COBRA costs for Yom's coverage through June 30, 2025, unless she qualifies for another employer's coverage.

Probe called 'moot'

The agreement states the board would immediately halt an unspecified "investigation" being done on its behalf into Yom by Dizon & Shedden, LLC, calling the probe "moot." The Fishkill-based law firm specializes in civil rights and workplace investigations for educational institutions, and serves as hearing officers for Title IX and school disciplinary hearings.

The district did not immediately provide a response Friday to questions about the nature of the investigation.

Yom also agreed not to sue the district in court. While she cannot be restricted from filing a complaint with "certain government agencies," according to the settlement, Yom is restricted from receiving any monetary awards if she pursued such a complaint.

Yom, the board and district officials also agreed not to make any derogatory comments about the other, or encourage anyone else to do so.

Yom also is barred from applying for or taking any job in the Nyack school district anytime in the future.

Nyack schools: 3 superintendents in 2 years

Yom was the district's third schools chief in two years.

Yom took the top job March 1, 2023. She technically replaced Eudes Budhai, who had left his Nyack post in June 2022, after just a year on the job.

Budhai was amid a four-year contract with a base salary of $265,000.

Budhai’s payout: A $205,625 lump-sum payment, minus any taxes and deductions, plus a $45,000 contribution from the district into Budhai’s 403(b) retirement annuity. He also received compensation for any unused vacation days.

James Montesano, a retired Nyack superintendent, acted as interim between their tenures.

Lizzette Ruiz-Giovinazzi, the district’s assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, has been named acting superintendent. According to documentation provided under the Freedom of Information Act by the district, Ruiz-Giovinazzi's base pay for July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, or the 2024-2025 academic year, is $216,300.

Short, tense tenure

Yom came to Nyack from Clarkstown Central School District, where she was assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction.

Tensions began to show among faculty and staff shortly after Yom's arrival.

This spring, as a budget and board vote loomed, black-and-red signs reading “Nyack Deserves Better” cropped up throughout the district, which encompasses the Clarkstown hamlets of Valley Cottage and Central Nyack and village of Upper Nyack, Orangetown’s village of Nyack and an unincorporated section of town, including the hamlet of South Nyack.

A no-confidence statement in Yom was sent to the school board in March 2024 by the leaders of the Nyack Administrators Association, Nyack Teachers Association, School Related Professionals, Nyack Association of Educational Secretaries and Nyack Professional Security Personnel.

Nyack Teachers Association and School Related Professionals saw their contract renewals signed by the district on June 30, the same day Yom resigned.

Nyack is known for its attention to serving a diverse student body. About 32% of the district's 2,724 students in the 2022-2023 academic were Hispanic and/or Latino and 14% were Black and African-American; 40% were white, according to New York State Department of Education data. About 36% of students in the district were considered economically disadvantaged.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Nyack schools superintendent Susan Yom separation agreement details