The Poway Unified School Board voted unanimously to fire Superintendent John Collins and to sue for money boardmembers claim Collins owes the school district.
PUSD Director of Communications, Christine Paik, said the decision was made after a closed session meeting Sunday night.
Collins was placed on administrative leave back in April pending the outcome of an internal audit requested by the Board of Education.
Collins, who led the district for five years, had been one of the country's most powerful and well-paid superintendents.
According to “Transparent California,” a website that lists public employee salaries and pensions, the superintendent received $478,000 in total pay and benefits in 2014.
Collins’ tenure has also been marked by controversy, including a contentious bond sale and his decision to rewrite and soften a consultant’s report that was critical of the district’s technology department.
In December, he hired an attorney to negotiate a possible buyout of his $400,000 contract.
