FALLBROOK - Tom Anthony, the embattled leader of the Fallbrook Union High School District, will resign as superintendent Jan. 11 under a $319,931 buyout agreement that took effect Tuesday, officials said.

The arrangement requires the district to pay Anthony 18 months of salary - or $281,000 - plus health and other benefits through June 2010. Those figures are spelled out in Anthony's contract, which would have ended then.

In addition to the salary and health benefits, the buyout includes $22,731 for 30 days of unused vacation time, $9,000 for 18 months of automobile allowances, and $7,200 for 18 months of expense allowances.

While no one contacted for this story would discuss the reasons behind Anthony's departure, district teachers have complained for years about what they call his intimidating leadership style.

Anthony, who is 62, took over as superintendent in 1997.

The school board approved the agreement in a split vote during a regular meeting Monday night, with Trustees Bill O'Connor, Mike Schulte and Marc Steffler approving the buyout and Trustees Lynn Colburn and Dennis Allen opposing it.

O'Connor declined in an interview Tuesday to discuss the terms of the buyout, saying the agreement included a "non-disparagement" clause designed to head off any bad-mouthing that might occur with Anthony's departure.

"I can say that this was a difficult decision for the board to make," he said.

Anthony said he's sad to leave the district.

"I loved working there, and it was a great 10 1/2 years," Anthony said. "I'm definitely going to miss working with the kids and the staff, but certain things happen."

When asked about the teachers' concerns, Anthony said in October that he had always tried to deal with district employees with respect and professionalism.

The problems between the teachers and Anthony reached a head during last year's election, when the teachers association helped elect O'Connor, Schulte and Steffler on a platform that included getting rid of the superintendent.

During a board meeting in April, the teachers association presented a survey in which 122 of the district's 150 teachers responded "strongly disagree" to the statement, "I have confidence in the leadership of the superintendent."

The friction extends as far back as 2001, when then-technology director Doug Newton was fired after accessing the telephone voicemail of several teachers who were protesting salary issues.

Newton later charged that Anthony ordered him to gain access to the district-owned voicemail system.

In June 2001, 104 out of 144 teachers signed a resolution accusing Anthony of causing low morale and lack of trust among teachers, and of wasteful spending habits.

At the time, the district faced a $1.8 million budget shortfall. The budget issue has faded as the district has maintained a balanced budget in recent years.

Effective Tuesday, Anthony will use 20 days of leftover vacation time, with his resignation taking effect Jan. 11. The district hopes to choose an interim superintendent before or soon after that, O'Connor said.

The process of finding a permanent replacement could take several months, he said.

"We will be meeting next Monday to look at how to proceed in looking for an interim superintendent," said O'Connor. "I would definitely like to get the community involved, so we can hear what they have to say about what kind of person is needed here at the Fallbrook Union High School District."

- Contact staff writer Tom Pfingsten at (760) 740-3516 or tpfingsten@nctimes.com.