Danville School District to pay Superintendent over $500k plus paid leave in settlement
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — Documents obtained by WCIA revealed that the Danville School District will pay Superintendent Alicia Geddis more than $500,000, in addition to other expenses, as part of a settlement agreement between the two parties.
The settlement was approved two weeks ago, solidifying an end to Geddis' time as the Superintendent of Danville School District 118. Under the settlement, Geddis will remain on paid administrative leave until her contract expires on June 30, 2026.
Geddis' original contract, which was included with the settlement, stipulates that she was paid $218,000 for her first year, with an increase of 4% annual salary for each subsequent year. In addition to that, the Danville School Board will pay her $542,197.35 as a compromise to settle a defamation claim Geddis made against the board, along with $20,000 in legal fees and another $5,170.49 in other expenses Geddis has incurred.
'The parties acknowledge and agree that Geddis' contract shall remain in effect…and the board will ensure that all contractual obligations contained therein are fulfilled,' the settlement reads. 'And that Geddis receives all salary and benefits by regularly scheduled payroll payments as provided for in the contract for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 contract years.'
Geddis was placed on administrative leave in February after working remotely since November, in response to perceived threats to her safety. It's a story that reportedly started in the summer of 2024.
Geddis, a Black woman, said she asked the owners of a truck with Confederate flags on it to take them down while it was present at a graduation ceremony. Shortly after that, she said she was being followed by trucks with Confederate flags and she continued to see these flags at school offices and near her home. She also said that during the summer, she received a letter asking her to join the KKK.
Danville Police determined that the situation stemmed from the 'bizarre behavior' of a former student who allegedly used racist language and was displaying a Confederate flag on his truck. Police determined the threats were 'not credible based on the information provided,' but Geddis claimed the Board of Education and an attorney advised her to work from home until the FBI finished its own investigation.
In November, the community split between supporting Geddis as she continued to work remotely and expressed concern over her continuing to work from home. The Board of Education and Geddis did work on a plan to have her return to work in person, but three months later, she was still working remotely.
At that point, the board began to consider placing Geddis on administrative leave and appointing an interim superintendent. On Feb. 19, the board voted to do just that and began the process of drafting a settlement that would see them part ways with Geddis.
That settlement was approved by both parties on April 9. In addition to the financial clauses, the settlement makes it clear that Geddis is Superintendent in name only.
'During this time, Geddis will be relieved of her administrative duties,' the settlement reads. 'Geddis' only contact with the board or district staff related to any school district business shall be through the Board President and Vice President. Following the execution of this agreement, Geddis will only visit school district property by appointment.'
Geddis' Assistant Superintendent, John Hart, will take over for her in an interim role.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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