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Spooner School Board And Superintendent Part Ways, District Pays $185,000

Resignation Comes After Controversy Surrounding Retirement Benefits, Health Insurance

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Community members, parents and retired teachers protesting the Spooner School District last year. Danielle Kaeding/WPR

An school superintendent in Spooner will get $185,000 in exchange for her resignation.

Michelle Schwab was hired as the Spooner Area Schools superintendent in 2014, but soon found herself embroiled in controversy. After the district changed retirement benefits and required higher employee health insurance payments, dozens of staff left and a lawsuit was filed.

The benefits changes caused angst and strong emotions, Schwab said.

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School board members, six of which were elected after Schwab was hired negotiated her resignation earlier this month.

“I’ve had great respect for the school board members that I’ve served over the last two years, and I respect this board’s decision that they have made,” she said.

The payout will extend through next May.

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