Former HP boss resigns position
Staff Report
HAVRE — After seven months on the job, former Huntley Project school superintendent Dave Mahon has resigned as superintendent at Havre Public Schools.
Havre trustees unanimously accepted Mahon’s resignation during a special meeting Wednesday, Jan. 20, that Mahon did not attend. His letter of resignation said he is leaving for “personal reasons.”
According to the Havre Daily News, board chairman Shad Huston declined to give specifics but said no misconduct was involved.
Last July, Mahon replaced a popular superintendent, Dennis Parman, after an extensive search and interview process that cost the school district about $10,000. Mahon signed a 3-year contract starting at $97,000 with vacation, sick leave and other benefits, which he will receive in full even though he has left district employment.
On July 1, the remaining two years of the contract become void, according to the Daily News which had to file a Freedom of Information request to get information about the departure package worked out between the board and Mahon.
However, Mahon will also get an additional $97,000 paid in increments of $50,000 by June 30 of this year, $23,500 by June 30, 2011 and $23,500 by June 30, 2012. Mahon also gets a letter of reference for future employment.
The district plans to launch another superintendent search and appoint an interim superintendent until a new one can be hired.
A district press release said the trustees appreciated “everything Mr. Mahon has done” and wished his family well.
Meanwhile at Huntley Project schools where Mahon served as superintendent for five years, trustees have not released Mahon from his contract because the board does not believe he has shown “good cause” for leaving his post in Worden.“
Can you resign without showing good cause, such as an illness in the family or other emergency situations is the question trustees are asking the state board of education. So far, no opinion from the state has been rendered, according to board chairman Mark Fox.
Worden trustees have also billed Mahon for $1,400 to pay for expenses to hire his replacement. So far, that bill has not been paid.