By Dani Tietz
After nearly two decades of service as Champaign County Coroner, Duane Northrup is set to take on a new role as the Buildings and Grounds Director for Mahomet-Seymour School District. The Mahomet-Seymour School Board approved the hire on Sept. 18.
Northrup replaces Stephen Curtis, who held the position since 2017.
The Mahomet Daily submitted a FOIA request seeking information about the hiring process on Sept. 20.
Though the district did use a few FOIA exemptions, including pre-decisional documents and redacting personal information, the publication was able to learn that the district deemed Northrup qualified for the position through work experience as the coroner, owner of Northrup Construction Company, a technician at Colony Property Management, and as a farm worker with Joe Murray Farms.
Northrup noted that he “Create(d) and manage(d) an annual budget of approximately $700,000. Manage(d) schedules and job duties of l0 staff and three independent contractors. Track and order supplies and equipment working within the boundaries of the county purchasing policy. Overs(aw) the maintenance and repairs of the facility, including all equipment utilized within the facility. Scheduling maintenance and repairs by contractors, ordering and maintaining all supplies for the facility, and personally performing some maintenance/repairs. Assisted in the design and build process of the current morgue facility, working with the contracted architect. Hire and train new staff and terminate staff when necessary. Work with state bids and contracts on a daily basis. Overs(aw) purchasing, maintenance, and upkeep of department-owned vehicles,” as Champaign County Coroner.
Within the documents, Northrup said he learned about the open position through Mahomet-Seymour staff.
While an exact starting date remains uncertain, Northrup is eager to transition to his new position. WCIS reported Northrup said he and his family, including his wife Christine Northrup, the Mahomet-Seymour School District’s Director of Student Support Services, had decided he would not run for the Nov. 2024 election.
Northrup’s one-year contract designates $90,000.00 per year (prorated based on start date), alongside other benefits, including IMRF. The district gathered information from other school districts of similar size to pinpoint a salary point.
Within the Sept. 18 consent agenda, the Mahomet-Seymour School Board also approved the hire of Lee Starks as the District Residency Specialist at $60/hour.
Upon review of a FOIA response, the district did not post a position vacancy for applicants. It appears that Starks was the only applicant. He will make $60 an hour.
After receiving the response five days ago, Superintendent Kenny Lee was asked what the district residency specialist responsibilities entailed, but Lee has not responded to the question.
