Dist. 62 superintendent away for undisclosed 'family matter'

Updated 10/25 with board president response

Des Plaines Elementary District 62 Superintendent Floyd Williams Jr. is working remotely for the district indefinitely for what officials are calling a "family matter."

It's unclear when Williams began working from home, though officials confirmed he was in the office for part of last week. District officials have remained mum on specifics of the absence, citing employee privacy laws.

Williams' absence started within days of the school board's considering - then eventually postponing - an Oct. 16 vote to increase his salary. The district and school board would not release the amount of the proposed pay hike.

Williams is in the second year of a three-year contract with a base salary of $198,000.

Williams is allowed 25 vacation days and 30 sick days, according to the district's employee compensation report.

Nelson Gray, assistant superintendent of business services, said Williams has been in contact with top school officials and his administrative assistant on day-to-day management. Gray directed questions to school board President Stephanie Duckmann.

"When we have inquiries about these types of things, we have to usually vet them first to the board because the board hires and manages that one employee - the superintendent," Gray said.

Duckmann declined to comment Tuesday in an email because Williams' absence is a "private matter."

School board Vice President James Poskozim said he believes Williams is in contact with the district and performing his duties, but he's not in the office.

"I don't know that I can go into why or that I really understand why," Poskozim said.

Williams did not respond to an email Tuesday.