MCC board discusses jobs, defining role for president emeritus
Stung by public criticism for paying McHenry County College President Emeritus Walter Packard the same $188,564 salary he made as president, the board of trustees is talking about plans to put him to work so it can make the most of its investment.
"I think we all want good value from Dr. Packard and he wants the very best for this institution," Trustee Scott Sanders said.
Packard resigned as president in February and said he asked for a less-demanding post so he could look after his wife who has a chronic illness.
Although his workload is significantly lighter - officials can't say in great detail what he's been up to - the board will continue to pay him $188,564 until his emeritus contract expires June 30, 2010.
At Thursday's board meeting Trustee Donna Kurtz, who says she has received fewer than five letters panning the board's decision to pay Packard at the same rate, came up with a list of projects she said the former president can and should undertake. They include:
• Outlining ideas for cost savings at the school;
• Developing a merit-based pay system for administrators;
• Establishing a succession plan;
• Focusing on the value of outsourcing at the school;
• Playing a pivotal role in the school's lengthy accreditation proceedings, for which he was responsible for as president.
Kurtz also said Packard should give the board a summary of his activities to date, tell them everything he learned at recent conferences and detail how it can benefit MCC.
His existing contract does not specify his job description. In a perfect world, the board would have included that in his contract, Kurtz said.
But board Chairman George Lowe questioned whether the board was overstepping its boundaries, since Packard now reports to the school president, not trustees.
"We are not micromanagers here, that is not our job, that is not our task, that is not our responsibility," he said.
The board will continue its discussion on the issue during its next committee of the whole meeting.