La Vernia ISD to pay former superintendent $89K settlement

Dr. Jose Moreno resigned Nov. 9

LA VERNIA, Texas – The La Vernia Independent School District will pay former superintendent Dr. Jose Moreno more than $89,000 as part of a separation agreement, according to records released by the district Thursday.

Moreno's resignation was announced Nov. 9, following a special meeting of the district's board of trustees, and came after a tumultuous year for the district marred by the arrest of more than a dozen students accused of hazing allegations at the high school.

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Moreno will stay with the district as "special assistant to the acting or interim superintendent" through the end of January or until he obtains employment elsewhere, according to the agreement.

It was not immediately clear what the new position actually entails, since Moreno was required to turn in his district keys, cell phone, computer and credit cards prior to Nov. 17.

The agreement states that Moreno "shall work from home and remain available to the District for assistance with any District matters during normal district business hours and days."

The settlement payment, which amounts to around $57,000 after taxes, is due to be paid to Moreno in early February.

The agreement also requires Moreno to cooperate with the district in any lawsuits filed against it, its trustees or him.

Changes coming to La Vernia ISD after 13 students arrested for sexual assault

A civil lawsuit was refiled against the district last week, by the parents of a teen who said he was sexually assaulted by classmates.

Moreno was named as a defendant in the original suit, but is not named in the refiled case.

La Vernia ISD superintendent resigns

Trustees did not give a reason for Moreno's resignation following the Nov. 9 meeting.

His contract ran through June 30, 2019.


About the Author

Emmy-award winning reporter Dillon Collier joined KSAT Investigates in September 2016. Dillon's investigative stories air weeknights on the Nightbeat and on the Six O'Clock News. Dillon is a two-time Houston Press Club Journalist of the Year and a Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Reporter of the Year.

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