SOUTH BEND — Outgoing schools Superintendent Robert L. Zimmerman finally has a buyout offer in his hands.

“I have been given a proposal and am in the process of looking through it now,” Zimmerman said Wednesday afternoon. “I have not responded or made any kind of decision, yet.”

Trustees of the South Bend Community School Corp. voted 5-2 on June 2 to negotiate a separation agreement with Zimmerman.

Three days later, the board relieved Zimmerman of his duties and appointed former Jefferson Intermediate Center Principal James Kapsa as interim superintendent.

Board President Sheila Bergeron said Zimmerman has 21 days to respond to the offer.

“At this point, we’re waiting on him,” Bergeron said. “I don’t know how long it will take or what kind of advice he’s being given. Obviously, we’d like to get it taken care of as soon as possible.”

Zimmerman said he doesn’t anticipate taking the entire 21 days to respond.

Neither side would divulge details of the buyout proposal. It has been estimated Zimmerman’s buyout could cost the corporation between $250,000 and $500,000.

Zimmerman started on Oct. 1, 2006, with an annual salary of $145,000. That prorates to $12,083 per month.

With about 16 months left on his original three-year contract when he was relieved of his duties, Zimmerman is owed roughly $190,000 by the corporation. That does not include additional fringe and medical benefits.

Buyouts never seem to be easy, and can prove quite messy at times.

In Howell, Mich., halfway between Lansing and Detroit, the school board recently bought out Superintendent Chuck Breiner.

In that case, Breiner served nine years as superintendent with four remaining on his contract, according to reports in the Livingston Community News.

Breiner and the board eventually agreed on a buyout worth $202,000.

Board Vice President Jeannie Pratt told the Livingston Community News that the district dodged a bullet and the payout could have approached $1 million.

In June 2004, Thandiwe Peebles was hired to lead Minneapolis Public Schools. By January 2006, Peebles tendered her resignation amid allegations that her management style was too abrasive and that she used district employees to conduct her personal business.

According to news reports, the district paid Peebles $179,000 to settle her remaining contract.

Then there’s Superintendent Debra Jackson of the Bedford Central School District in Bedford, N.Y.

She is leaving this month with three years remaining on her contract. Her controversial separation agreement has reportedly put the district in a financial bind.

Jackson will be paid $650,000 and receive free health-care coverage for life as a result of the deal.

Even former South Bend schools Superintendent Joan Raymond was bought out once.

In 1990, Raymond was superintendent of the Houston Independent School District, one of the largest school districts in the country. After serving that district for five years, several board members wanted her out. The result was a buyout worth a reported $420,000.

It isn’t clear yet if Zimmerman will command that kind of money.

“Like I said, I’m going through it at this point,” Zimmerman said, “and will try to get back with (the board) as soon as possible.”