CPS to pay Yearwood more than $667,000 in contract buyout

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The outgoing superintendent at Columbia Public Schools will receive a large payout.

CPS confirmed on Friday that Superintendent Brian Yearwood would step down immediately to retire.

According to a separation agreement between Yearwood and the school district, Yearwood will receive $667,268.90 on Jan. 1. The agreement says he ceased superintendent responsibilities on Friday, but will still be employed by the district through Dec. 31. The agreement was signed on Thursday.

The agreement states that Yearwood will be paid all accrued and unused paid leave days on Jan. 1. It also states the district can pay for Yearwood’s insurance through COBRA through June 30, 2025.

Yearwood announced in August that he had been diagnosed with cancer. That diagnosis was not mentioned in his letter announcing his retirement.

Yearwood was hired in 2021. He was under contract through June 2027, making about $260,000 per year. He took over for Peter Stiepleman. Former superintendent Chris Belcher has agreed to be interim superintendent through the end of the school year. 

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