MCC releases Packard's contract

McHenry County College officials have finally released President Emeritus Walter Packard's contract, but the document raises more questions than it answers.

The board voted unanimously in February to accept his resignation as president and to name him president emeritus, with the same $188,564 salary and $12,000 retirement contribution and health benefits for him and his wife.

The board did so only after the Daily Herald and others made multiple requests for it through the Freedom of Information Act - and then only after an Illinois Supreme Court ruling that forced Wheaton-Warrenville Unit District 200 to disclose its superintendent's contract.

Packard's contract didn't detail why he wanted less involvement at the school. Packard has said he wanted a less demanding position at the school so he could look after his wife Nancy, who has a degenerative neurological illness for which there is no cure.

Board Chairman George Lowe declined to say who approached whom first, and officials would only say the president emeritus position was a mutual decision.

"The parties wanted to amicably achieve the result that occurred," said board attorney Joe Perkoski.

Packard had been president since 2003 and his contract would have expired June 30, 2010. His president emeritus contract expires the same day.

"You have to understand he had a contract that guaranteed him compensation through June 2010," Perkoski said, adding that the board had no reason to fire him. "That's the key to the story."

But what Packard has done for the school lately isn't clear, as officials could not detail what exactly he's been up to the past month.

The contract did not specify Packard's new duties and only said his assignments "shall be reasonable and discussed with Packard in advance."

Packard could not be reached for comment.

Perkoski said Packard recently spoke at a community college conference and done some consulting with the board, but officials did not know what advice he gave the board, on what subject it involved or which conference he attended.

As part of the agreement, the school gives Packard the resources he needs to do his new job, whether it involves airfare, hotel accommodations or any fees associated with conference registration.

"Time to time, he's been called upon to perform services for the college," Perkoski said.

Also as part of the contract:

• Packard can seek other employment, whether it's temporary, part time or full time, just as long as it doesn't conflict with the school's interests.

• If Packard finds another job, the board chairman will furnish the new employer with a mutually agreed upon letter of recommendation that highlights Packard's accomplishments at the college.

• Packard will not accrue any vacation, sick or personal time while he is president emeritus.

• In return, Packard has agreed not to sue the board.

• Both parties have agreed not to make any "derogatory or disparaging comments" about one another.

Lowe said only he and one other board member wanted Packard to continue on as the school's president.

"I personally would have liked to have had him stay," Lowe said. "Personally, I like him. I personally don't have any problem with him."