By Jennifer Mrozowski
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The public affairs director for Cincinnati Public Schools has resigned with the agreement that the school board provide her 16 months of severance pay.

Jan Leslie, who worked with the district since 1999 and made $91,225 a year, will receive about $120,000 plus pay for 54 vacation days. She also will receive health coverage through July 2004.

Her resignation was effective April 1, but was approved Monday by the school board. The Enquirer obtained a copy of the severance agreement Wednesday.

Leslie could not be reached. Officials would not say why the remainder of Leslie's contract is being paid out, nor why she left.

"We really can't violate the agreement by talking further about it," said Janet Walsh, interim director of public affairs.

The board on Monday agreed to raise Walsh's salary from $65,734 to $69,020.

E-mail jmrozowski@enquirer.com