The Palmerton Area School District employee who left under a separation agreement approved last week is Keith Smith, a full-time custodian assigned to the high school, according to a copy of the agreement obtained through a Right-to-Know request.

The board approved the deal Oct. 20 without discussion. The agenda identified Smith only as “employee #426.”

The district agreed to pay Smith $4,974.88. That includes $4,474.88 for 23 accrued vacation days at his full per diem rate under the support staff contract, and $500 as a prorated health care insurance buyout he would have received had he worked a full year.

Smith retired effective Sept. 30; three weeks before the board voted.

The document offers one sentence on why. It says “certain differences arose between the district and Smith related to and during the course of Smith’s employment.”

It does not elaborate.

Board minutes show Smith was first brought on as a part-time custodian in 2018 and hired as a full-time custodian in 2019.

Smith, per the agreement, agreed never to seek paid employment with the district again.