Departing Dist. 108 superintendent on paid leave until June 30

Superintendent John Butts won't officially leave his post with Lake Park High School District 108 until June 30, but he's already on a paid leave of absence that will carry him through the end of his tenure, according to documents obtained by the Daily Herald.

The documents indicate Butts, who submitted his resignation April 13, is on a paid leave of absence that began April 5 and continues through June 30. He will continue to receive medical and dental benefits during that time.

The Daily Herald obtained a copy of the resignation agreement after filing a Freedom of Information Act request.

Butts' resignation came more than two years before his contract with the district was scheduled to expire and after he spent eight years with Lake Park. School officials did not respond Tuesday to inquiries about the time discrepancy between the April 5 start of his paid leave and the April 13 resignation.

Neither school board members nor Butts would comment on the reason for his departure, except to say through a joint statement they agree the district needs a change in leadership.

Butts insisted last week there was no contention with the board, saying only, "It's just more that, over time, some of the same frustrations build up and it just gets to be that it's time for a change."

Butts also said last week he is pursuing job opportunities both in an out of the education field, but would not discuss specific prospects.

In addition to continuing to pay Butts' $189,505 salary and health benefits through June 30, the district will pay him for earned vacation time. While on leave, however, Butts must be available for consulting to assist with the transition in the superintendent's office.

Associate Superintendent Lynne Panega was named interim superintendent on Saturday.

Her contract with District 108 expires in 2012. Officials would not say Tuesday if she will receive a raise with her new duties.

There are no indications Butts will be paid for earned sick days.

Additional stipulations in the agreement include a clause preventing the board and Butts from speaking negatively about each other, as well as a section that waives Butts' ability to make an age discrimination claim. School officials did not say Tuesday if these are standard stipulations in district resignation contracts.