Dr. Lucabaugh's Controversial Separation Agreement: See Key Details

DOYLESTOWN, PA — The details of a controversial $700,000 separation and release agreement with Superintendent Dr. Abram Lucabaugh continue to reverberate throughout the school district.

As residents shouted their disapproval from the audience on Tuesday inside the auditorium of Central Bucks West High School, the outgoing Republican board majority voted 6 to 3 to approve the separation agreement, which some have blasted as "outrageous" and "insane."

The board president defended the agreement, arguing that if the new Democrat majority, which is set to take over on Dec. 4 had followed through on its plans to fire Lucabaugh, the cost would have been much greater to the school district than the mutual separation agreement reached by the board.

Lucabaugh, who had overseen one of the largest school districts in the Commonwealth until Tuesday, was also one of the highest paid superintendents in the state. Under a new five year contract approved by the board in July Lucabaugh's annual salary increased from $229,000 a year to $315,000.

Here are the key details of the agreement:

• Dr. Lucabaugh's employment as superintendent of schools will end effective 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 14.
• After Nov. 14, Dr. Lucabaugh will receive only the payments outlined in the agreement.
• Payment for Unused Vacation Leave. Dr. Lucabaugh will receive $32,105.81, which is payment, at his current per diem rate of pay, for 26.5 days of unused vacation leave.
• Payment for Unused Sick Leave. Per his contract, Dr. Lucabaugh will be paid $30,288.50 for 25 days of unused sick leave. In addition, Dr. Lucabaugh has agreed to forfeit 41 days of his remaining 235 unused accumulated sick leave saving the district $49,673,14. For the remaining 194 unused accumulated sick leave, the district will pay Dr. Lucabaugh $235,038.76 at the rate of 1/260th of his gross annual salary for the 2022-23 school year.
• Payment for unused personal days and administrative emergency days. The district will pay the former superintendent $4,240.39 for 3.5 days of unused personal days and $6,215. 20 for 5.13 days of unused administrative emergency days.
• Severance Payments. In addition to the payments for unused leave, the district will make a non-elective employer contribution to Dr. Lucabaugh's 403(b) account in the amount of $15,750. The district will also pay Dr. Lucabaugh a lump sum of $315,000 and continue to provide Dr. Lucabaugh, his spouse and eligible dependents with the same medical benefits through June 30, 2024.
• The district will also pay Lucabaugh a signing bonus of $50,000 "to resolve any and all issues or potential issues or claims arising from or connected with his employment with the district, including allegations made by Dr. Lucabaugh of a pattern of harassment that undermined his ability to carry out the functions of his job and contributed to an environment of incivility and hostility during his tenure."

In addition, the school district and Lucabaugh agree to mutual releases from any and all claims, demands, liabilities, causes of actions, damages, losses and expenses of every nature and kind whatsoever, known or unknown, which Dr. Lucabaugh has or may have against the district or the district has against Dr. Lucabaugh.

The agreement also contains a covenant not to sue, an acknowledgement of no wrongdoing, and an obligation to defend, hold harmless and indemnify Dr. Lucabaugh.

To read the complete agreement, click here.