LAS VEGAS, N.M. – A northern New Mexico school superintendent who resigned after he was cited by police for driving through a resident’s fence is still on the payroll.
The Las Vegas Optic reports a letter signed by Las Vegas City Schools Board President Dennis Romero shows that Kelt Cooper will continue to collect his salary until June 30. The letter was acquired by the Optic through an open-records request.
Cooper was placed on paid leave in November. Hours later, police say he crashed his pickup into a resident’s fence.
Hired in May 2016, Cooper had been under contract through the 2020-21 school year. His annual salary was $110,000.
Romero says he could not comment on why Cooper was placed on leave, nor could he speak about Cooper’s resignation.
