MCC president emeritus locks in same salary he did as president

Although Walter Packard is doing less work as McHenry County College's president emeritus, he still draws the same salary he did as president, records show.

In addition, the Crystal Lake-based college will be paying a new interim president at the same time it covers Packard's $188,564 salary, leaving taxpayers to simultaneously foot the bill for two, top-level administrators.

"I understand people get upset, but we've got better things to do right now," said MCC board President George Lowe. Asked what options the board had, Lowe said: "I'm not sure anymore. It's a difficult situation when you get into them, there's choices you make. We've tried to make the least onerous choice and we've done that.

"Dr. Packard had to do what he had to do, which is unfortunate, but that's where we are."

The board voted unanimously to approve the contract.

Trustee Donna Kurtz said she hopes the residents get past their frustration on the issue.

"I think what is upsetting to people is they just want to understand the (personnel) issues and that's part of what's happening right now," she said. "I think just looking forward is what we need to do as a board and ultimately as a community."

Packard had been the school's president since 2003 up until late February when he negotiated a less demanding post at the school so he could take care of his ailing wife, Nancy.

She has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, a neurological degenerative illness that affects the brain's ability to reason, causes personality changes and has no cure.

MCC declined a Daily Herald Freedom of Information Act request that, among other things, asked for Packard's emeritus contract - officials instead released a statement detailing some of its contents.

The board will continue contributing up to $12,000 to Packard's retirement account and keep him on the school's medical, dental and insurance plans through June 30, 2010 - the date his contract expires.

On July 1, 2010, the school will begin paying a percentage of Packard's health insurance premiums through Aug. 21, 2012 - the same benefit extends to Packard's wife, Nancy.

As part of his new duties, Packard remains active on MCC's "Promise" scholarship campaign that pays full tuition at the college for qualifying high school seniors, he represents the school at national conferences and community functions and regularly advises the board on various matters, including identifying the college's needs and how best to meet them.

The traveling portion of Packard's job would cease to exist after the interim president takes over, Lowe said.

Packard, who now works from home, has already represented the school in Phoenix at the American Association of Community Colleges annual convention and will do so again at other functions in Chicago and Texas. Lowe said the school scheduled those conferences months before Packard changed jobs.

"I think it's all for the better of the college," Lowe said. "We can have him do any number of jobs for us."

As part of the deal, the school picks up the tab for Packard's airfare, hotel stays and any registration fees associated with the conferences, Lowe said.

Packard could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

MCC officials, meanwhile, have not yet hired or identified a salary range for the interim president, Lowe said.

The board will soon interview two finalists; it expects to hire one of them before school starts in August.

Trustees hope to hire a permanent president by the time Packard's emeritus contract expires in 2010.