The former superintendent of Edmonton Public Schools has launched a $2.25-million lawsuit against the board, CBC News has learned.

Lyall Thomson was terminated last month, only four months into a three-year contract. The board refused to issue a public explanation.

Lyall Thomson, the former superintendent of Edmonton's public schools.
(CBC News)

In a statement of claim filed Friday in Court of Queen's Bench, Thomson alleges he received little or no feedback on his performance and was never informed his job was in jeopardy.

But on Jan. 10, two trustees went to Thomson's office, read him a letter of termination, gave him a cheque worth one year's salary, and told him to turn over his keys and leave the building immediately, the lawsuit claims.

His lawyer, Barrie Chivers, said the board needs to explain its actions. 

"The board is a public body and it owes a duty to its employees, it owes a duty to its public, and one of those duties is that it has to act in a fair and reasonable manner," he said.

The board now has 15 days to respond to the statement of claim. None of the allegations have been proven in court.

"The district has received a statement of claim and the statement contains unproven allegations. And the district will be vigorously defending the claim," said board chair Bev Esslinger on Monday.

Thomson's reputation ruined: Chivers

When Thomson was let go, Esslinger wouldn't go into detail about the reasons for the dismissal, only telling reporters the "contract was terminated without cause and after significant deliberation by the board."

A news release last month from the board explained that Thomson's contract contained a clause that allowed the board to fire him without cause as long as he was paid a year's salary, or $179,000.

The statement of claim alleges that the lack of explanation has led to speculation that is ruining Thomson's reputation. 

Thomson, the first superintendent to be hired from outside the district in 30 years, signed a three-year contract that began Sept. 1. Before moving to the Edmonton system, Thomson was superintendent of the Rocky View School Division near Calgary.