Cathy Williams, the Bellevue Public Schools’ longtime communications director, is leaving at the end of December.
Williams, 54, said she plans to help the district with its transition to a new superintendent and help train her replacement.
Her retirement plans include staying in Bellevue and doing some traveling.
“My intent is to stay involved in the community,” she said. “I really don’t have anything that I’ve decided that I definitely want to do other than that.”
She is retiring at a salary of $132,462.77, plus longevity pay of $4,967.35. She was the highest paid school district spokesperson in Nebraska, according to a World-Herald analysis last fall.
She will receive payment for unused vacation days and annual leave days. As of Feb. 10, Williams had 119 annual leave days and 257 vacation days. She will be paid at her full daily rate for vacation days and half that for annual leave.
Also, by submitting her resignation on Feb. 15, she is eligible for the district’s voluntary separation program, for a onetime payment of about $137,000.
Like other district employees who make contributions, she will draw a pension from the Nebraska Public Employees Retirement System.
John Hansen, president of the Bellevue school board, said Williams qualifies for retirement under district rules based on her age and years of service.
Williams started working for the district as an intern when she was a student at then-Bellevue High School 40 years ago. After being hired full time, she took classes at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She became the public information coordinator in 1977 and received her present title and many of her current responsibilities in 1996.
Until November 2010, Williams also was a paid employee of the Military Impacted Schools Association. For years, she served as its treasurer and director of communication. Williams resigned her association positions when the school board was looking into salary matters involving Superintendent John Deegan, who also drew a salary from both the district and the association.
After several months of wrangling with the school board, Deegan, 63, left the district in December with an agreement to receive two years’ pay at a final level of $208,845, plus retiree health care benefits.
Williams said she decided to leave because her job is stressful and it is time to “take a breather.”
Williams has received numerous awards and commendations during her time with the Bellevue school district.
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