Arlene Ackerman Files For Unemployment
Updated: Wednesday, 30 Nov 2011, 1:34 PM EST
Published : Tuesday, 29 Nov 2011, 12:30 PM EST
PHILADELPHIA - Former Philadelphia school district head Arlene Ackerman, who collected a huge contract buyout from the city, has filed for unemployment.
Sources tell Fox 29 that the Philadelphia school district can't contest the filing due to Ackerman's separation agreement from September 2011.
Ackerman was paid a $905,000 buyout by the school district with taxpayer funds, after a plan to use $405,000 in private funds to pay Ackerman was cancelled after public outrage.
Her weekly salary was $6,669, according to records obtained by Fox 29, and her annual salary was $346,000.
Ackerman and the School Reform Commission agreed to part ways in August, with Ackerman getting the $905,000 plus retirement funds and pay for vacation and leave days.
Ackerman picked up an additional $86,700 for unused vacation time and personal leave.
Ackerman was the highest paid government official in Philadelphia during her three-year stay with the school district, which is actually run by the state.
She left with several years left on her contract after several disputes with other government officials and budget cuts hit programs Ackerman supported.
Dr. Leroy Nunery has replaced Ackerman for the school year.
The school district had a $629 million deficit under Ackerman and it is still laying off employees as it struggles to make ends meet.