Dr. Bessie LaFrae Young will no longer be the Superintendent of Camden City schools. The Camden City board of education voted to buy out the remainder of her contract during a meeting Tuesday night. Dr. Young will receive around $62,000 as part of the buyout agreement, which is effective June 30.
“At this juncture it is in the best interest of both parties to enter into this agreement,” said board member Susan Dunbar-Bey during the meeting.
Dr. Young made more than $240,000 a year as Superintendent, a title she held since 2007. She recently came under fire for missing more than 180 days of work reportedly due to an illness. The board would not confirm if that played a role in their decision however.
“That’s a personnel matter,” said Dubar-Bey. “That’s confidential information as to why somebody is out.”
Young will receive three months of severance pay.
“It equates to three months of salary which is all within her existing contract,” said attorney Louis Lessig.
Some Camden residents say its money she doesn’t deserve.
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“She’s costing us over $243,000,” said one man. “Highest paid superintendent and you can’t be here?”
The board has not yet said who will replace Dr. Young.
