It has been less than six months since former Columbia Public Schools superintendent Brian Yearwood agreed to “retire” in a move that netted the administrator more than $600,000.
Yet since his departure from the district, Yearwood has now been a finalist in two separate searches for a new superintendent.
The Christina School District in northern Delaware announced Friday that Yearwood is one of three finalists for its superintendent vacancy.
Yearwood’s abrupt departure has been shrouded in mystery since it was announced.
The district originally agreed to a contract extension with Yearwood in February 2024.
However, the district announced Yearwood’s retirement last November to be closer to family. Yearwood’s last day was Dec. 31 and he said he would “explore opportunities” in his home state of Texas.
In a move that shocked parents, Yearwood received $667,268.90 in a payout from the district around Jan. 1. The buyout came from the district’s annual operating budget, which is mainly used for employee salaries and benefits.
Less than a month after Yearwood’s last day, however, Garden City Public Schools in Kansas announced he was one of two finalists for its superintendent role. The school district ultimately chose the other candidate.
Yearwood is prohibited from speaking publicly about his departure as part of his separation agreement, and Columbia Public Schools has previously declined to comment further on the matter.
Columbia parents flooded the Christina School District’s Facebook post announcement, urging the Delaware community to voice support for candidates to the school board other than Yearwood.
The district is holding three separate public forums for the community to meet the finalists. Yearwood is expected to appear at Maurice Pritchett Senior Academy in Wilmington, Delaware at 6 p.m. Thursday.