The Murray Sentinel reported Monday the suit alleges Todd was stripped of his provost duties and given a 55 percent salary reduction. Todd served as in both roles from March, 2020 until October 31st of this year.
In a news release August 26th, the school announced Todd would step down as provost and return to his tenured position as a faculty member.
Paducah attorney David Kelly is representing Todd in the suit filed last week in Franklin Circuit Court.
Court documents show Todd executed his most recent employment contract with the school on June 20th that reappointed him provost and vice president of academic affairs from July 1 through June 30, 2026, with a salary of $219,225.
Kelly noted during the employment term, Todd was contractually prohibited from resigning his position unless agreed to in writing by the President.
The complaint also alleges that during an August 20th meeting with new MSU President Ron Patterson, Todd was informed he would no longer be provost effective November 1st.
Patterson further said Todd would be reassigned as a tenured professor in the college of business and his annual salary would be reduced to approximately $98,000.
According to Kelly, Todd performed his duties as provost and vice president of academic affairs in an exemplary manner and was fully compliant with all standards of conduct required of university personnel.
The complaint concluded the university’s actions, namely terminating Todd from his position without just cause constituted a breach of contract, causing Todd to incur damages in the form of loss of salary as well as retirement benefits among other things.
The Franklin Circuit Court Clerk’s Office advised that summons were issued to Patterson and MSU General Counsel Rob Miller by certified mail last week. However, the office has yet to receive proof of service.
Once the defendants are served, they must file an answer within 20 days.
