Pam Baldwin, superintendent of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, resigned from her position on April 16 but will continue to serve as superintendent until June 30, when her resignation becomes official.
The Board of Education thanked Baldwin for her service to the district in a press release: “From the start, Dr. Baldwin was charged with focusing on our traditionally underserved students. During her tenure, persistent opportunity gaps in overall school and student performance have lessened.”
Baldwin’s resignation was preceded by controversy over a school district contract with consulting company Education Elements, as well as the resignation of Jennifer Bennett, assistant superintendent of business and finance, on February 24 and effective April 30.
Documents were discovered revealing that payments to Education Elements for equity training to close the district’s achievement gap were structured to avoid school board approval, mandated by district policy for contracts in excess of $90,000.
The district had entered into a series of contracts with Education Elements for a total of $767,070, though work with the company was suspended in December 2019, and the district terminated the contract the next month, after paying Education Elements over $342,000.
Many district parents and community members criticized Baldwin for the contract’s violation of school board policy and lack of transparency.
Baldwin has been on medical leave since March 25, with assistant superintendent of support services Patrick Abele filling in for her. Baldwin is expected to return from medical leave on April 27.
She began her duties as district superintendent in April 2017.
“I wish our school system continued success, and most importantly, I wish the children of our community every accomplishment and all of the blessings they work so hard for every day, now and forever,” Baldwin said in a statement. “It has been my honor to serve them.”
Baldwin will receive a severance payment of approximately $106,000, equivalent to six months of her current salary.
