Paxton payout won’t hurt — for now

Former college president Dr. Bob Paxton's $400,000 severance package may put a ripple in Iowa Central's budget, but probably not until the next fiscal year.

The saving grace this year is that Paxton won't receive the last 10 months of his salary and other allowances, totaling about $170,340. Iowa Central Community College's fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30, which means this fiscal year has just begun. Paxton will receive his first $200,000 installment in January.

Meanwhile, the hunt for a new college president is just beginning, and a starting salary and allowance package for that position hasn't yet been determined.

In January 2010, the next fiscal year, Paxton will receive his final payment of $200,000.

Paxton's severance pay will come from the general operating fund just like any other college salary, according to Chuck Peterson, assistant to the president and newly appointed liaison to the Iowa Central board. Compensation for new duties Peterson will assume has not been discussed, he said.

''Paxton won't receive the last 10 months of his salary, which lessens the impact on this year's budget,'' Peterson said. ''2010 will be a different year, and we can assume that we'll have a new president. In my experience with financial affairs, all I can say is that it will work out.''

In July, the Iowa Central board approved a three-year contract for Paxton including a $156,000 salary. Additionally, Paxton was given an annual car allowance of $13,200, was paid $27,960 for the purchase of an annuity, and was given a $7,250 expense account. He was also paid out-of-town mileage.

As part of Paxton's agreement, he will also continue to receive health care benefits for himself, his spouse and all eligible dependent children for the next 13 years. Paxton and his wife have three children. When Paxton reaches age 65, he will qualify for Medicare and will no longer receive Iowa Central benefits.

''We have a very good health plan at this college; it's something that Paxton was part of developing in 2000,'' Peterson said. The college's self-funded health insurance plan is called Iowa Central Community College Healthcare Benefit Plan.

Paxton can decline the coverage in future, Peterson said.

If he takes another position at another college, he can choose to take its health care benefits for his primary insurance. At that time, the Iowa Central insurance would become a secondary, or supplementary, insurance.

While some scoff at Paxton's agreement, Tom Chelesvig, board member said it was in the best interest of the college.

''If we didn't get a resignation from him, we would be in a position to dismiss him,'' Chelesvig said.

Since there was nothing in his contract prohibiting the conduct he displayed in the photo that caused the recent scandal, he said, Paxton could have sued the college if the board had fired him.

''It wouldn't take long to eat up a lot of money. It could have been worse,'' Chelesvig said. ''In the long run, this was the best choice. We're going to move straight ahead.''

Contact Abigail McWilliam at (515) 573-2141 or amcwilliam@messengernews.net

Member Comments

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thendrickson
09-04-08 10:10 PM »Report Abuse	"Why do you think me cutting and copying direct quotes that prove you as a liar is immature?" Because those statements aren't lies except in your mind, and all you is hurl personal insults while hiding behind an anonymous moniker like a child.
Meteorologygeek
09-03-08 5:39 PM »Report Abuse	I had no Idea that there was anything going on with Paxton. I was a student about 4 years ago, but I only heard people tell me he was a cool dude. wait, is that what they meant? Obviously that answer is YES. I wonder who will get hurt with the 400k payout? the Students most likely.
outlaw
09-01-08 8:21 PM »Report Abuse	What was I thinking? Rather than give kids an option to do something athletic or artistic for 2 or 3 times a week, let's have them stay home in front of the TV or video games, roam the streets or whatever some one will complain about next. Lets not be proactive but reactive.
outlaw
09-01-08 8:08 PM »Report Abuse	Huh, that sounds different than every minute of the day. Keep bashing, it doesn't help anything. Year round vs. every minute. Oh, yeah and how about activities where kids can use their imagination. Hate to tell but I know something about the needs of kids in Fort Dodge, I have spent years working with them. Many different levels of needs, intelligience and home environments. Any one who slams some one for wanting to help kids, needs to try to work on their own life.
Anderson
09-01-08 8:02 PM »Report Abuse	Outlaw: I quote from your blog: "The aquatic center is great but there needs to be supervised fun activities year round for kids."
MelissaT
09-01-08 3:16 AM »Report Abuse	I'm glad Paxton is viewed as a hero and rockstar among the ICCC students. At least they have a role model that fits in with them now. Oh wait I lied, I'm not glad. I guess I am alone when I think that when that kind of behavior is awarded with $400,000 is a little wrong.
FDFATONE
08-31-08 11:02 PM »Report Abuse	hey hopeful what do you know about either of the men you speak of? Mr. Paxton is gone, So what now you're just not satisfied because you're an habitual complainer? Is that it?
outlaw
08-31-08 10:49 AM »Report Abuse	Great Point Imhopeful.
Imhopeful
08-31-08 10:21 AM »Report Abuse	It is now time to go forward. Dr. Paxton has caused enough damage over the years and we need to find a new leader to start the healing. But how do we do that when the board president is still a champion of Dr. Paxton, doesn't feel he has done anything wrong and is still one of his very best friends?? I think we need to ask Mark Crimmins to step down. Only then can we feel assured that a new beginning can take place and that the good old boyism we have experienced doesn't continue. Mr. Crimmins- be as honorable as you say Dr. Paxton was in stepping down. You too have brought shame onto the college by your support of such antics.
outlaw
08-31-08 9:16 AM »Report Abuse	I have no relatives in Dodge. Good Luck NamVet. Hopefully, Fort Dodge will continue grow, if it can get past the negativity and be supportive!
NamVet
08-31-08 2:13 AM »Report Abuse	Outlaw: Your comments are sensible, intelligent and heart felt. Don't you love being misquoted and all that other stuff?? Hendrickson: You getting frustrated yet? It seems intelligent, thoughtful and thinking people often get accused of all kinds of things. Being rude, putting others down, being above others, misquoted or people not comprehending what they read etc., etc.. Attacking others, of course taken out of context...It gets old doesn't it? I understand your moving to a place that better reflects your values. I also, am moving soon to a place that reflects my social/political values, my environmental, moral and family sensibilities, and so much more. I may know one of your relatives here. Nice guy and very sensible. I used to drop in on him where he worked and we would chat. He retired from state employment awhile ago. Right?? He was also a nam vet, am I right?? Anyway, I agree with your comments and you seem like a rational and thinking person.
Xdodger76
08-31-08 12:47 AM »Report Abuse	CommonSense on the contrary. Growing up in Dodge was fun and the town has come a long way to where it was but when people rally around this it just make me wonder why??? Thats all
outlaw
08-30-08 10:40 PM »Report Abuse	What Miller guy? Whatever. Where did I say every minute of the day.
thendrickson
08-30-08 10:02 PM »Report Abuse	Just to satisfy my curosity, I checked, I can not run for the ICCC BOT because I live in DMACCs district, however perhaps we can get Mr. Mogler to run, he seems to have a clue as to what's needed at this point.
Anderson
08-30-08 9:52 PM »Report Abuse	Keep at it, Outlaw, and you will certainly kill what little imagination children have left. Let's do entertain the little buggers every minute of every day! And by the way, that Miller guy at U of I was a teacher, not admin, and his was a really serious offense.
Anderson
08-30-08 9:40 PM »Report Abuse	A contract is a contract, boys and girls. For no more than Paxton did (or didn't) that was SO reprehensible, he could easily have held the Board to it all. At least the tort lawyers got left out and missed their thousands of pounds of flesh. Paxton could have got all kinds of damages on top of the $400,000+, which is measly by private business standards for CEO's of an enterprise with a gross equal to ICCC's budget. On the bright side, as admin types would put it, he had probably used up most of his good ideas - and they were many - so change for change's sake may have been in order. By the way, parents, if your kids don't learn to drink responsibly at home, you can almost be assured they will do so sometime, and frequently IRRESPONSIBLY, on their own. If YOU abstain at home and they do so too, congratulations on being respected role models.
outlaw
08-30-08 2:51 PM »Report Abuse	Commonsense it is more than who you hang out with. There is a definite ol boys club! Charles Clayton who is a hometown man, lives everyday to make his community better for everyone! He is not perfect either but he has a great heart and knows that HE IS A ROLE MODEL and does try to protect that. Yes, there is problems that goes beyond racism, there is serious issues toward any people of lower socio-economic status. The needs to be lots of after-school programs, a charter school, mental health support. Not just Harlan Rodgers and the bandshell. The community forgets about it youth. The aquatic center is great but there needs to be supervised fun activites year round for kids. Academic and atheletic support, not just of a priviledged few. Give Charles some money, a building, volunteer. Help any body, help the elderly, plant a tree, shop Dodge, just do something.
CommonSense
08-30-08 2:41 PM »Report Abuse	Thank you outlaw, at least you do something to help. Like you said FD does have it's problems, it is somewhat still racist, not just by the white people OR the black people. I think there have definately been some large strides in that area in the 15 years I have lived here. Charles Clayton has done more to help that than anyone else I know. He works his tail off for this community, Reverand Taylor is also taking on a huge load and helping to change the negatives. It's not going to happen overnight but at least now there is a huge movement to improve the city. I just get so tired of people ripping on this town. Like I said, I have lived here for 15 years and met TONS of great people. I think it just depends on who you choose to associate with.
outlaw
08-30-08 2:27 PM »Report Abuse	Attend board meetings, volunteer and give up some bucks. Not just comment, faceless and nameless on a chat board. Yes, I can say that because I have done and do these things. Dodge still get some of my dollars every year. I support what is good about it not sit and bash what it bad. There is going to be some more shake ups to come. Change is coming. Stand up people! If you love Dodge or hate it, then do something. Endorse what you love and change what you hate. I will be ignored like I am usually here. You all just like to fight. Maybe that is why there is so little progress. Fight for something, not someone.
outlaw
08-30-08 2:24 PM »Report Abuse	I moved to Fort Dodge twenty years ago and I hated it! It was racist and clicky and really depressed at that time late 1980's. However I did see slow progression, moreso lately than ever. I have also moved away and every community has problems but not so deeply rooted as Fort Dodge. At least for a town that size. I did take advantage of the positives of Dodge when I was there. Those of you who bash ICCC need to back down a little. There may be issues adminstratively but what it offers to the community is great. I really had SOME good teacher that helped me properly prepare for a major university. Often we get out of school what we put into, esp. at that level. Your school district is a complete mess! At least college kids can protect themselves, little kids cant. Again it is not the teachers but the adminstration. Yes I can say that because I was rooted in it. So put your money where you mouth is and support programs like AFES and Frontier Days positive family interaction
CommonSense
08-30-08 1:57 PM »Report Abuse	Why do you think me cutting and copying direct quotes that prove you as a liar is immature? When you have something positive to say about anything I will gladly debate "the issues". Just because I choose not to participate in a witch hunt against ICCC doesn't mean I don't know what the issue is. Like I said before, HE'S GONE, you got what you wanted, why can't you just be happy with that. You despise FD so much yet you continue to concern yourself with the affairs here. Myself, I wouldn't waste my time concerning myself with something I pretend to care so little about.
Schmidt
08-30-08 1:48 PM »Report Abuse	Let the public relations campaign begin curtesty of this paper. "It won't cost too much because he isn't getting his regular salary" "we are self insurred and he can later cancel" "It was cheaper than firing him" So was there a standard conduct clause or not? If not why not? Chuck Peterson already retired years ago under a fancy retirement incentive package and then didn't go any where. He is still there collecting a salary as a consultant. Those who have kept the public records on salaries can see how much he is making doing the job he used to do as a full time employee. Seems odd they never tried to replace that position and that he was the only one who could step in and keep doing it. There are many dark corners that will need the light of day shed on them to uncover the sneaky ways of this administration. Every thing should be suspect. Enrollment, finances, everything.
thendrickson
08-30-08 1:47 PM »Report Abuse	Actually my wife and I chose our location because we felt it reflected the kind of values we have, we considered moving back to Fort Dodge because both our families were there and decided it would not be a good move, and you all have of course done nothing but reinforce the correctness of that decision. But again, enjoy your pool. Seriously.
thendrickson
08-30-08 1:45 PM »Report Abuse	not to mention the insistence on lying about what was actually said. man, all you did was prove what I said was true, and it's time to move on to more productive things while you stay behind and bend yourselves over for the next one. Enjoy your new pool though.
Dejavue
08-30-08 1:44 PM »Report Abuse	Commonsense, that is because they are stuck in towns far worse off than Fort Dodge. They are in the styx of Iowa and they can't get out.

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