Superintendent leaving Decatur schools with more than $400K in remaining salary

City Schools of Decatur Superintendent Gyimah Whitaker announced Tuesday that she is stepping down, leaving parents surprised and raising questions about a separation agreement that will pay her more than $400,000 in future salary.

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Whitaker made the announcement during Tuesday’s school board meeting, spending about 15 minutes reflecting on her accomplishments during her three-year tenure. She did not provide details about why she was leaving.

“City Schools of Decatur is a special place,” Whitaker said, thanking the board of education for entrusting her with what she called its “gem.”

Whitaker also reflected on her more than two decades of work in education, saying she has remained committed to improving access to exceptional education.

Some parents said they were caught off guard by the announcement.

“I didn’t know anything about it,” said Sherita Warren, a Decatur parent.

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Whitaker’s departure comes after scrutiny surrounding her use of her husband’s recording studio to produce a district-related podcast.

In October, the district cleared Whitaker of wrongdoing following an independent investigation into the matter. Earlier this year, parents raised concerns with Channel 2 Action News about her husband’s separate, non-district podcast, which they said contained content aligned with hate speech against marginalized communities.

During Tuesday’s meeting, the school board approved an amended contract outlining Whitaker’s future compensation.

Under the agreement, Whitaker will receive $401,700 in remaining salary through 2028. More than $300,000 is scheduled to be paid Jan. 1, 2027, followed by another $100,000 on Jan. 1, 2028.

The agreement also provides an additional $17,853 for 15 unused vacation days.

Warren questioned the decision to provide the additional compensation, saying she believes the money could be better spent in the district.

“I don’t think you should get that,” Warren said. “They can turn around and invest it in the school or somebody who really wants to do their job, regardless of their personal situation.”

Whitaker did not publicly explain the circumstances surrounding her decision to step down during Tuesday’s meeting.

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