District to pay Niles teacher who resigned

April 29--A Niles teacher who resigned earlier this month will receive his salary for the remainder of the school year according to a settlement agreement approved April 21 by the Niles Community Schools Board of Education.

Adam Zmudzinski, who had worked at Oak Manor Sixth Grade Center, was placed on non-disciplinary paid administrative leave in February for alleged misconduct.

Zmudzinski's resignation was approved by the school board April 21. The Niles Daily Star received a copy of the settlement agreement Friday via the Freedom of Information Act.

In the settlement agreement, the district agreed to pay Zmudzinski's salary for the remainder of the 2013-14 school year, continue his health insurance through Aug. 31 and provide him with a neutral letter of reference in exchange for his voluntary resignation.

Zmudzinski also agreed not to take legal action against the district or the school board, according to the agreement.

A letter obtained by the Niles Daily Star via an earlier Freedom of Information Act request said that Zmudzinski was placed on administrative leave Feb. 13 while the district investigated allegations that he engaged in misconduct with other district employees, abused paid leave and drank alcohol on duty.

Another letter from the district to Zmudzinski -- obtained by a FOIA request -- accused Zmudzinski of attempting to intimidate or threaten a district employee in an attempt to influence that employee to make false statements regarding the district's investigation.

The settlement agreement states that it does not represent an admission of guilt or innocence in matters relating to Zmudzinski's resignation.

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