Facing a potential shift in the board majority and ill health, West Mifflin Area Superintendent Patrick Risha last night retired after the board met his condition for a $30,000 severance payment.

Over his 37-year career in education, Mr. Risha has survived various controversies, including being ousted in the South Allegheny School District in 2003, a decision that cost the district more than $325,000. He voluntarily left his next district, McKeesport Area, in 2006, before his contract had expired, for West Mifflin, where he had a five-year contract. His salary this year was about $140,000.

This year, his ouster of basketball coach Phil Shar was so controversial that Mr. Shar ran a write-in campaign for school board. He may have defeated incumbent Diana Olasz although the official results aren't in yet.

The board last night also ensured that at least four members of Mr. Risha's team would be taken care of with long-term agreements that include severance payments that could total as much as $156,650 if they are terminated. In addition, the board has scheduled a special meeting for next Friday to appoint a new superintendent, which may be Assistant Superintendent Janet Sardon.

All of this comes just weeks before a new board is to be sworn in on Dec. 8.

Mr. Risha, in his late 50s, has been in declining health and has been working for months mainly from his home in Belle Vernon, 18 miles away, because of weight-related health issues that he said made it difficult for him to sit at a desk for more than two hours at a time.

District solicitor Jack Cambest last night refused to release a copy of Mr. Risha's retirement letter with his conditions in it, saying board policy requires a formal right-to-know request. Mr. Risha's retirement is effective Dec. 23, and Mr. Cambest said he would be using sick days until his retirement.

Mr. Cambest confirmed that Dr. Sardon is the anticipated superintendent candidate.

Mr. Risha's resignation and the agreements with the four members of his team all were approved on a 5-4 vote, with Mr. Risha's usual supporters voting yes.

Board President Ned Mervos, Vice President Albert Graham, Ms. Olasz, Kathleen Bracco and Michael Jakubovic voted in favor. The four who were opposed are Edward Schueler, John Donis, Michael Price and Richard Fialkovich.

"You can see he's in bad health," said Mr. Mervos of Mr. Risha, who wore a track suit and walked with a cane last night. "He did an outstanding job."

At the start of meeting, a slide show, set to David Bowie's "Changes," highlighted improvements during Mr. Risha's tenure.

The four employees who will receive severance if terminated are Philip Martell, assistant business manager, who makes $71,800 a year; Chuck Toth, director of maintenance, $48,400 a year; Sandy Wells, director of building and grounds, $60,000 a year; Scott Stephenson, activities coordinator, $61,300 a year.

Mr. Toth, Ms. Wells and Mr. Stephenson all have agreements that run into 2014. If terminated early, they would be eligible for six months severance pay.

Mr. Martell would be eligible for one year's severance pay if terminated early.

After the meeting, Mr. Mervos said he favored the four agreements for "security of positions."

"There might be a new board to remove them," he said, adding that would be a big loss to the district.

In public comments at the beginning of the meeting, Mr. Risha faced some hostility.

Afterwards, one audience member, Lou Webber of West Mifflin, said, "I think he did a lot for the kids, but his methods leave a lot to be desired. His personality clashes with a lot of West Mifflin residents."

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