Grayslake District 46 on hunt again for finance chief

Grayslake Elementary District 46 plans to hire a new finance chief as soon as possible in the wake of the firing of a man who was supposed to start the job July 1.

District 46 board members voted 7-0 at a meeting Wednesday to terminate the contract for Edward Towle, who was hired as District 46's chief school business official while he was on paid leave at Brown Deer School District in suburban Milwaukee. District 46 officials said they learned about Towle's job status after his hiring on April 7. He was supposed to start work on July 1.

Towle topped about 40 initial job applicants. Brad Goldstein is departing June 30 to take over as director of finance and operations at Hawthorn Elementary District 73 in Vernon Hills.

"We would like someone in as soon as possible," District 46 board President Mary Garcia said.

Towle's contract called for a $98,000 salary and 25 vacation days. With a successful 2010-11 academic year, he would have had an opportunity for two-year rolling contracts and advancement to assistant superintendent for business and finance.

"At this point, we have not discussed any money being given to anyone," Garcia said when asked if Towle was in line for a settlement.

Garcia said board members, in a closed-door session, discussed Towle's presentation of himself and his application to District 46 officials before deciding to yank his contract. Attorney Robert Shumaker said Towle was honest throughout the hiring process.

Towle came highly recommended to Grayslake from Brown Deer District Administrator Deb Kerr. Towle has been on leave as Brown Deer's business manager since February 2009, collecting his full $107,449 salary. His paid leave ends in June.

Kerr lauded Towle for his integrity and job skills in a letter to District 46. But after he was hired in Grayslake, she stated at a Brown Deer board meeting that her "serious concerns" about Towle's job performance led to his paid leave 15 months ago.

Garcia said she's aware of a lawsuit Towle filed May 7 against Kerr and the Brown Deer district. Unspecified damages are sought in the complaint that in part alleges defamation and breach of contract.

"Anything can happen in this day and age, anyone can sue," Garcia said. "But our lawyer is very confident that we did the right thing and we followed the steps we needed to follow."

Towle contends Kerr's comments jeopardized his chance to keep the District 46 job, according to his lawsuit.