Lori Lane, Somersworth schools agree on her resignation and how much she'll be paid
SOMERSWORTH — Lori Lane's separation from the city school district as superintendent is now official after the School Board voted Tuesday night to accept her resignation and a settlement agreement that pays her $100,339.
Lane, who had been cited for "hostile, disrespectful, unprofessional" conduct for how she treated employees, had already been replaced for the 2023-24 school year, though she had a year remaining on her contract.
The settlement agreement states Somersworth schools will pay Lane her salary from July 1 to Oct. 31, a total of $52,714. It also states she will receive a vacation days buyout of $29,250 (50 days at $585) and a sick days buyout of $18,375 (22.5 days at $150). The agreement states Lane is "eligible to continue to receive health insurance through the end of this fiscal year or until she obtains other employment with comparable insurance."
Lane had worked for the district since 2014.
Dana Hilliard's future in Somersworth schools unknown
Lane's departure from Somersworth schools comes after she was placed on paid leave June 5, shortly after she reinstated Dana Hilliard, the school district's director of operations and the city's longtime mayor.
She and Hilliard were both cited by School Board Chair Maggie Larson and the entire board for verbally abusive and demeaning behavior toward school building administrators and staff. The School Board hired an outside investigator after a complaint was filed by Somersworth's elementary, middle and high schools principals, assistant principals and other administrators. The investigator found a "preponderance of evidence" the allegations against Lane and Hilliard were accurate.
Previous report: Somersworth school leaders disciplined for abusive behavior: Investigation shows details
On June 21, the School Board decided not to extend Lane's contract beyond 2023-24, which preceded negotiating the terms of her separation.
Interim Superintendent Lou Goscinski, who was recently hired to replace Lane for the 2023-24 school year, confirmed Hilliard is currently on paid leave.
"I cannot publicly disclose the type of leave he is on due to Mr. Hilliard’s privacy rights under applicable state and federal employment laws," Goscinski said.
Goscinski and Larson declined to comment on Hilliard's future with the district.
On Thursday, Larson released what Goscinski said is an agreed upon joint statement from Larson and Lane:
“After nine years in the Somersworth School District and two years as superintendent, Lori Lane has announced her decision to resign from her position at the end of July. This decision allows Superintendent Lane the ability to pursue other professional opportunities and the School Board to begin the process of searching for a new superintendent.”
According to Larson, the School Board and Lane agreed to issue the joint public statement after it was unanimously approved by the board at Tuesday's meeting.
Lane, who completed her 35th year working in education this spring, had been superintendent in Somersworth since July 2021, replacing Bob Gadomski. She began working for Somersworth schools in 2014, hired as the high school’s Career and Technical Center director. She was promoted to director of curriculum, assessment and technology in July 2015 and to assistant superintendent in July 2017.
Asked if a search for Lane's replacement had been started, Goscinski said not yet.
Goscinski, who has worked in education for 40 years and recently retired as superintendent in York, Maine, has a one-year contract in Somersworth and said he has not decided if he will seek the position.
"I've only been here two weeks," he said. "I am still getting organized."
Lane did not immediately return a message asking for her to comment, nor has she commented on the investigation. Hilliard also has not returned calls regarding the investigation and his future with the school district.
This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Lori Lane, Somersworth schools agree on resignation, her payment
