In Knoxville, Departing Library Director Gets Severance, Then Sees it Rescinded
By Allison Zisko Sep 3, 2010[Update September 7: According to a Knoxville News Sentinel report, Larry Frank said that he had no intention of resigning but he did so given that he was to be replaced by the new mayor. "The group indicated to me that offering the severance and asking me to resign met industry standards," he wrote.]
The principals aren't saying very much, but it looks like an attempt to smooth the way for the departing library director (and two other senior managers) in Knox County, TN, won't pass legal muster.
Larry Frank, Senior Director of Library Services at the Knox County Public Library, resigned last week along with two other top appointees of outgoing Mayor Mike Ragsdale, according to a report by knoxnews.com, the online arm of the Knoxville News Sentinel.
Frank was hired in 2003 and earned $122,000. Ragsdale gave Frank, along with as the senior director of engineering and public works and the communications director, each a lump-sum, 90-day severance package. For Frank, that equaled more than $29,000 in severance and nearly $15,000 in annual leave, according to knoxnews.com.
Reversing the decision
County commissioners were unhappy with the arrangement. The incoming mayor, Tim Burchett, put the awards on hold when he took office this week and asked the new county law director Joe Jarret to determine whether the packages were legal. Jarret said they were not, and said the former employees would have to sue for the money if they so desired.
Will they sue? Frank could not be reached for comment. Jarret was out of the office and also could not be reached for comment.
Frank's replacement has not yet been named. Assistant Director Myretta Black has been named interim director, according to one Knox County Public Library employee.
No county policy
In an editorial September 1, the newspaper suggested that, while Burchett isn't responsible for the severance packages, Ragsdale's offering of severance indicated that there was no place in the new administration for the three officials.
The newspaper said Frank "managed the system well," calling his departure "disappointing for those who support the libraries' mission."
"The county doesn't have a policy on severance pay, but Ragsdale and Burchett should share the circumstances surrounding the resignations with Knox County taxpayers," the newspaper said.
