As the Ladue School District moves forward with plans to hire a new superintendent, FOX2 is drawing attention to the agreement that has allowed Dr. Marsha Chappelow to retire and take leave early leave with full payment under her existing contract.

Ladue leaders have defended the decision as being in the best interest of the district, and have pointed out that under the terms of the agreement, which don't allow either side to comment on why the parting actually came about, does call for Chappelow to make herself available to district staff when necessary up until June 30.

Dr. Donna Jahnke, Asst. Supt. for Teaching and Learning told Patch Monday that the district has not needed those consulting services.