Naperville park board debates director's contract

Naperville Park District commissioners are contemplating offering a multiyear contract to Executive Director Ray McGury after five months on the job.

"I just think if you're going to put this district on the path of future growth you need to commit to your executive director," Commissioner Kristen Jungles said Thursday.

However not all commissioners agreed it is the appropriate time to do so.

McGury took the helm in September 2008 under a one-year, $135,000 contract.

Before joining the park district, he spent three years as police chief in Bolingbrook and 21 years on Naperville's police force.

At the urging of Commissioner Ron Ory the board started to discuss goals for the director Thursday, but the conversation turned to his contract after McGury reminded them he only has seven months left under the deal.

Jungles suggested the board offer him a three-year contract and President Suzanne Hart agreed, calling McGury "amazing."

"We've gotten so much done since he's been in place I feel very comfortable," Hart said.

McGury said he is pleased with his position as executive director and wants to continue in the role.

"If this board in June or July says 'thanks a lot it was a great ride, see ya,' life will go on," he said. "I don't want to see that happen. ... I told you from the beginning this is where I want to be."

McGury's five months is just longer than the previous director, Daniel Betts, who resigned in August 2008 citing "philosophical and operational differences" with the park district.

Hart said it is the district's rocky past that led the board to starting McGury off with a one-year contract.

Commissioner Mary Wright said while she is happy with McGury, she does not feel the board should be talking about a contract extension with an election coming up in April that could produce as many as five new members.

"We don't know who the new board is going to be," she said. "It's not appropriate for us to be projecting that far along."

The board plans to discuss McGury's contract in the closed session portion of its Feb. 12 meeting. In the meantime, he has agreed to put together a list of goals for himself for the year.