NORMAL -- Martin Getty has replaced Jim Gillmeister as chief financial officer at Normal-based Unit 5 schools.

Gillmeister left the district last Friday, by mutual agreement, district spokeswoman Dayna Brown said Thursday.

"Anytime a CFO leaves a position, there is always concern, but there is no criminal wrongdoing involved with this departure," Superintendent Gary Niehaus said.

Getty, previously interim chief financial officer for Decatur Public Schools and who mentored Gillmeister two years ago, is working on an interim basis. He started Monday.

Gillmeister did not immediately respond to messages left at his home.

Gillmeister apparently was the subject of a closed-door board meeting last week. Niehaus explained his observations over the past two years and his recommendation, board member John Puzauskas said.

"He consulted with us and took our opinions," Puzauskas said. "I support Gary's decision."

According to Illinois law, personnel matters can be discussed behind closed doors, but any action must be taken in public. In Unit 5, the superintendent makes hiring and firing recommendations which then are voted by the board.

Both Gillmeister's departure and Getty's hiring will be voted on Dec. 9.

"(Getty) was exceptionally good at his job when he was here (in Decatur) and could put the most complicated school funding and No Child Left Behind laws into terms anyone could understand," said Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald & Review education writer.

Among Getty's new duties will be following a new two-year contract with Unit Five Education Association, affecting 900 certified staff members, nurses, school psychologists, social workers, librarians and speech pathologists.

UFEA President Vickie Mahrt said she is confident Getty can handle the process because he has experience working with bargaining and contracts. She has already spoken with him a couple of times.

"There are a lot of things we need to take care of with the new contract," she said, admitting there is "a learning curve." However, she expressed confidence the pay raise and benefit changes will show up on the staff's December paychecks.

"His group has a lot of work to do," she said.

This year, Unit 5 overspent its $84.6 million education fund by $3.2 million, drawing down the reserves. The board addressed the issue Oct. 28, saying closer tabs on spending must be kept by all administrators involved and that process be communicated to the finance department in the future.

The overspending came to light with an audit report by Tom Pfeffer of Gorenz and Associates Ltd., Peoria. Pfeffer also said the district improved its state financial ratings, and several previous issues had been addressed.

Gillmeister was hired in May 2007 when Tod Altenburg became an assistant superintendent at Lombard District 44.

Niehaus, then set to become superintendent, recommended Gillmeister to the board. Gillmeister's two-year contract starting in July 2007 called for an annual salary of $110,000.

A certified public accountant, Gillmeister spent 25 years in the private sector and has a chief business school official certificate.