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Dr. Lee Hicks is no longer the superintendent at Troy City Schools.

The Troy Board of Education held a special called meeting on Tuesday to approve a mutual separation agreement with Hicks. The board voted unanimously to approve the separation with board member Eva Green absent. Hicks was not present at the meeting.

According to the separation agreement, Hicks will be paid through July 1, 2021, at his base salary rate of $124,440 annually. The total pay for 17 months at that rate is $176,290.

Hicks joined the Troy City Schools system in 2011 and his contract was renewed in 2017 for five years, expiring Jan. 1, 2022.

Federal Programs Director Cynthia Thomas was named the interim superintendent and can serve six months in the interim role before the board names a new permanent superintendent.

The board moved quickly to approve the separation agreement and to name Thomas as interim superintendent. No purpose was given during the meeting for the separation between Hicks and the system.

“It was a mutual agreement,” said Board President Rhonda Pollard. “Due to legal purposes we cannot say anything else at this time.”

Pollard said Thomas will serve as interim for the remainder of the school year while the board begins the process of hiring a permanent superintendent. The financial agreement with Thomas for her service as interim superintendent is still being negotiated, Pollard said.

“We chose Ms. Thomas because she is a citizen of Troy, she went through Troy City Schools, and has served in many different roles within the system including teacher, principal and federal programs director. We think she can help get our school system back on track.”

Thomas has been with the school system for 24 years.

“It means the world to me that the board is trusting me to step in at this point to make this transition go as smoothly as possible,” Thomas said. “My focus has always been to provide the children and teachers with the resources they need to be successful.”

“We appreciate Ms. Thomas for  stepping in and we appreciate Dr. Hicks for all he has done for the community and wish him the best going forward,” said Board Member Jonathan Cellon.

“We look forward to working with Ms. Thomas as we move forward with this system,” said Board Member Roxie Kitchens. “It made sense to bring in someone whi is already familiar with the system.”

Board Member Bo Coppage declined to comment, deferring to let Pollard speak for the board.

Calls to Hicks were not answered or returned before publishing time.