The former Fresno Unified communications chief who used artificial intelligence to fabricate quotes from the teachers union is in line to receive a six-figure payout to leave the district.
According to documents obtained by The Sun, ex-Chief Communications Officer Nikki Henry agreed to a six-figure severance package last month when she submitted her resignation following the scandal.
The backstory: FUSD Superintendent Misty Her directed Henry to compile a document earlier this year that would detail the fractured relationship between the district and the Fresno Teachers Association. Her gave FTA leaders the document during a May 7 meeting.
- The document was titled Instances of Fresno Teachers Association (FTA) Leadership Targeting Superintendent Misty Her. It highlighted 39 instances over the past two years of FTA leadership allegedly targeting Her with inflammatory comments and included quotes from news reports, social media posts and FTA emails.
- But none of the quotes included in the document were real. Hyperlinks in the document showed the quotes were generated by artificial intelligence.
- On June 30, Henry revealed on LinkedIn that she was leaving Fresno Unified after six years with the district.
The big picture: Per the settlement agreement, which Henry signed on June 26, she would leave the district on June 30 and receive a lump sum payout of $162,000 in exchange for her resignation.
- Henry will also continue to receive health and welfare benefits through July 31.
- Henry also agreed to not seek employment with Fresno Unified in the future as part of the deal.
State of play: According to public payroll database Transparent California, Henry received a salary of nearly $199,000 in 2023 – the latest available year – with her total compensation with benefits set at nearly $273,000…