As far as Niles resident Mary Gallagher is concerned, she and the Niles Community Schools Board of Education have vastly different opinions of what “fiscally conservative” means.

“When you hear six figures for a year of nothing as fiscally conservative it is like, what?” Gallagher said during the public comment portion of Monday’s school board meeting. “A lot of people are working hard to pay the taxes that are going into this money that is being churned around. You are hoping that it is being well spent.”

Gallagher was referring to a statement made by the board regarding the terms of a settlement agreement between the district and former Supt. Richard Weigel, who resigned last month. As part of the agreement, Weigel will receive a lump sum severance payment of $115,000.

Shortly after releasing the settlement agreement to the media, the board released the following statement:

“If the district had paid out Dr. Weigel’s full contract, it would have cost more than double — when including benefits — (than) the separation agreement cost. As such, this is a fiscally conservative move for the district.”

Resident questions district’s settlement with former superintendent

After Monday’s meeting, board member Jeff Curry said he doesn’t think everyone understands all the factors that went into the settlement agreement.

Weigel’s contract was valid through June 2016. And while his base salary was $115,000, Curry said Weigel’s true cost to the district was somewhere around $180,000 a year when accounting for benefits and insurance.

Breaking Weigel’s contract without compensating him could’ve resulted in a legal battle that would’ve cost the district much more than $115,000, according to Curry.

“Why not fight it? You’d have to find cause and go to court and that’s Russian roulette,” he said. “I think it was hats off to us and Richard for negotiating something that was as fair as could be for the situation, as bad as it was. I really do.”

Weigel resigned shortly after eight principals and seven other key staff members sent a letter to the board saying they had “no confidence” that he could lead the district effectively.

In the letter, administrators described Weigel as a bully whose actions had created a toxic atmosphere in the school district and the community.

The board also received three letters from four staff members supporting Weigel’s ability to lead.

Weigel’s settlement agreement also stipulated that he serve as a consultant and receive his normal wages for the remainder of this school year.