Grayslake North ex-principal resignation documents released

A former Grayslake North High School principal is entitled to paid medical coverage through June, under a resignation agreement approved last week after it became known he was the focus of a prior sexual harassment investigation in the same job in Plainfield.

Grayslake High School District 127 on Friday released the agreement with Eric Vance, who bested about 50 candidates to head Grayslake North for the 2009-10 academic year.

Vance's resignation was submitted Dec. 7 and approved by the District 127 board three days later. He was supposed to be paid $126,500 as Grayslake North's principal, and will be on paid leave until Dec. 30, when his voluntary resignation becomes effective.

Under the agreement, District 127 will cover Vance's COBRA premiums for major medical health and hospitalization insurance through June 30 or until he obtains coverage from another employer.

"By executing this agreement," the document states, "Vance understands and agrees that he is knowingly, voluntarily and irrevocably releasing and waiving any and all of his rights to continued employment by the board."

Vance was hired as principal for the 2008-09 term at Plainfield High School, but was shifted to another job in the spring and then left for Grayslake. He hasn't responded to messages seeking comment.

Two weeks ago, the Daily Herald reported District 127 Superintendent Catherine Finger was unaware of the sexual harassment probe of Vance at Plainfield Unit District 202. He went on paid leave Dec. 4.

Finger said she didn't know District 202 had documents on the complaint lodged against Vance, 37, until a Freedom of Information Act response was shown to her by the Daily Herald on Dec. 1. She said some online information about Vance was portrayed as politically fueled rumors during the hiring process.

District 202 acknowledges there was a summary of investigation issued in 2009 involving claims made against Vance by a woman who reported to him at Plainfield North. District 202 refuses to allow the public to see the probe's findings and recommendations, citing legal exemptions.

Vance was removed as Plainfield North's principal and shifted into an administration office job toward the end of the 2008-09 school year, pending the investigation's results, officials said. He eventually resigned, citing personal reasons.

Larie Godinez, District 202's former assistant superintendent for administration and personnel, supported Vance's push for the Grayslake North job with a letter of recommendation April 30. Godinez is now schools superintendent in Dubuque, Iowa.

Vance promised not to file a lawsuit or take other action against District 127 as part of the resignation agreement.