After 'excessive' buyout, Montco school chief rehired

Seven months after a state official called his retirement package "excessive," the Upper Perkiomen School Board has rehired former superintendent Timothy F. Kirby, this time as interim chief.

The school board voted 8-0 Thursday to bring back Kirby from July 1 to Dec. 31 at a salary of $335 a day. If a permanent replacement isn't found by Dec. 31, Kirby then will be paid $735 a day until June 30, 2015.

Kirby's contract also calls for extending up to $55,000 in health benefits to his wife.

Kirby worked for the 3,200-student district from June 2004 until he retired in February 2012 with $229,000 in unused sick and vacation days and health-care coverage.

In a routine review of school district spending, Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said in October that his office believed the package was "excessive," based on the district's size, structure, and other factors.

Kirby's successor, Beth Yonson, resigned in December for unspecified medical reasons and officially will retire June 30.

William Scott, president of the school board, has said that DePasquale's report contained many errors, and that Kirby was the best person to lead the district and help them find a permanent replacement.

"The board is looking forward to working with Dr. Kirby again," he said this week.