A principal who is resigning from a Pittsburgh high school is getting a nice severance package courtesy of a recent school board vote even though he stands accused of “passively allowing” teacher/student sex under his watch.

Ryan Kociela was placed on administrative leave last year from Plum High School after the shocking charges against two of his teachers, Joseph Ruggieri, 41, and Jason Cooper, 39, of “institutionalized sexual assault” with numerous female students over several years.

Though Kociela is not charged with sexual misconduct, a grand jury report said he “had known of ‘rumors' of Ruggieri and numerous female students for years and yet never documented any of those matters; never contacted a counselor to assist any of the female students; never notified police; never notified ChildLine; never notified Allegheny County Children, Youth and Family Services; and never reprimanded Ruggieri.”

Both teachers are in prison after pleading guilty, but things are going much better for Kociela. From TribLive:

School directors voted 5-3 to approve an agreement with Kociela that pays him $220,000, roughly two years of salary, in three installments in three fiscal years.

The agreement is in addition to this year's salary of nearly $111,000.

Those in favor were board President Kevin Dowdell and board members Rich Zucco, Michele Gallagher, Jim Rogers and Michelle Stepnick.

School Directors Steve Schlauch, Vicky Roessler and Sue Caldwell dissented.

[District solicitor Lee] Price said Kociela will be on “paid sick leave” until his formal resignation July 1 and waives remaining vacation, personal and sick days.

Well, how nice of him.

One of the dissenters, Steve Schlauch, is appalled by the decision: “I do not agree with the language in this proposed agreement. By accepting this agreement, it essentially makes one a scapegoat and ensures that no accountability will ever be accepted by anyone of authority at Plum Borough School District. This is unacceptable as the students, the district, and the Plum community deserve better.”

“I don't agree with the financial terms and don't agree with the language,” said another dissenter, Vicky Roessler. “For the record: I don't agree Mr. Kociela should be the only one no longer employed with the district.”

Those who voted in favor of Kociela said this decision helps put the “extremely emotional and challenging” past few years behind and allows the community to “move forward.” 

Superintendent Timothy Glasspool was also placed on administrative leave, but has since returned to his post on the board. Dissenters said Glasspool also turned “a blind eye to obvious signs of teacher misconduct," but they were outvoted once again and Glasspool’s contract was extended another five years. The report adds:

His 2015-16 school year salary was $142,600 and has built-in raises in each of the five years of his contract. His salary was set to automatically increase by $10,000 at the beginning of this school year.

Corruption inside the government does not discriminate. We have school boards and teachers' unions to thank for that.