Elk Grove library director who resigned gets 8 more weeks of pay
Former Elk Grove Library Director Patrick McDonald, who stepped down in June after less than 10 months on the job, is getting more than $16,000 in additional pay, according to terms of a five-page separation agreement.
The compensation equates to eight weeks of additional pay, which McDonald received June 5 under the agreement, a copy of which the Daily Herald obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.
From his hiring in September 2014 to his departure last month, McDonald earned a total of $96,179, including $16,166 in extra pay after his resignation.
McDonald is also entitled to benefits, including health and dental coverage, through Aug. 31, the agreement states.
Library Board President Gil Schumm on Friday declined to say why McDonald received extra pay and benefit coverage after he left.
McDonald couldn't be reached for comment.
Library officials announced McDonald's resignation in a news release June 10, saying he planned to continue private nonprofit work and pursue library consulting.
McDonald was hired to replace longtime director Lee Maternowski, who retired after 17 years as director and a total of 38 years at the library.
The agreement says if McDonald or library officials are asked about the circumstances of his leaving, they will say only the parting was amicable, and that he left voluntarily to pursue other opportunities.
The agreement also states that the nine hours McDonald was absent from work May 27-28 will be treated as paid administrative leave, and he won't be required to repay 35 hours of paid vacation he took.
By entering the agreement, McDonald and the library board agree as to "the general and complete release of all claims or causes of action (McDonald) may have against the library for any reason."
Schumm said there was no legal action pending against the library involving McDonald.
"That's standard language in any agreement," Schumm said. "It's called boilerplate."
The pact was signed by McDonald and R. Theodore Clark Jr., an employment law attorney with offices in Rosemont and Chicago.
The library board met in closed session June 2 when board members authorized Clark to sign the document on their behalf, Schumm said.
"We were aware of what we entered and we authorized him to sign it," Schumm said.
Meanwhile, the search is on for McDonald's replacement.
The board met behind closed doors this week with Lynn Elam, a consultant who helped conduct the search that resulted in McDonald's hiring.
Elam will be doing a new search, which includes a new online job posting, and plans to collect and review resumes from candidates before inviting finalists to interview with the board, Schumm said.
The board won't have to pay extra, since the contract with Elam contained a clause that she must return within a year if the candidate hired didn't work out. The board paid $10,000 for Elam's consulting services in May 2014.
"She made it clear she wanted us to be happy," Schumm said.
A timeline calls for Elam to bring finalists to the board for interviews at the end of August.
"We want to get it right, so we'll do whatever needs to be done," Schumm said.
Michael Mangini, the library's business manager, has been serving as interim director.