The Amagansett School Board on Nov. 14 approved $190,000 in budget transfers to cover a salary payout to the outgoing district superintendent, Seth Turner, who resigned in October.
According to his letter of resignation, dated Oct. 17, Mr. Turner, whose salary was $233,398 for the current school year, parted ways "subject to and contingent upon the execution of a certain agreement."
The budget transfers covered "payouts to the previous superintendent that did have to be made on the spot, and others will be paid out over time," Richard Loeschner, the interim superintendent, said during the Nov. 14 school board meeting.
Mr. Loeschner's own salary as interim, which the district did not anticipate needing to pay until recently, will also be covered by budget transfers, he said.
The money was taken from the district's "unassigned, unreserved fund balance," an account consisting of end-of-year budget surpluses.
District officials could not be reached for further comment by press time, but on Thursday, Mr. Loeschner said the district essentially "bought out" Mr. Turner's contract and that the agreement did not include health benefits.
This story has been updated since it was first published.