From Staff Reports

A-B Tech President Hank Dunn will leave the post Jan. 1 with a buyout of more than $100,000.

The school’s Board of Trustees announced Dunn’s impending departure on the night of Oct. 23, noting that he was not being terminated.

A school official told the news media that there would be no comment on reasons why Dunn was leaving.

Dunn, who began work at A-B Tech in March 2010, was widely credited with helping win voter approval in 2011 of a special quarter-cent tax in Buncombe County to fund new buildings and renovations at the school, but his tenure also saw controversy.

However, he clashed repeatedly with county officials over how to use tax proceeds. In addition, Dunn admitted earlier this year that his behind-the-scenes action to swear-in someone else early helped keep County Commissioner Mike Fryar, a critic of Dunn and the tax, off the school’s Board of Trustees. 

Relations with some employees reportedly were difficult at times.

Dunn will receive a separation payment of $113,052, the equivalent of six months salary, the school said. The sum will come from school vending revenues because of a state law prohibiting making such payments from taxpayer funds.

A statement from the school says an agreement between Dunn and trustees “is confidential and the board will not have any additional comment.”

Dunn was only the school’s fifth president since A-B Tech was established in 1958, but the second president in a row to leave after a relatively short time in the top job. Betty Young held the job from September 2007 to March 2009. She resigned, citing dissatisfaction with her leadership.

K. Ray Bailey held the position from 1990 to 2007. He was popular enough that he was easily the top vote-getter among eight candidates for regular seats on the county Board of Commissioners in 2008.

A brief statement from trustees Chairman Joe Brumit does not give a reason for Dunn’s departure. Brumit declined to answer questions at the end of a 45-minute closed meeting of the board late Wednesday afternoon.

Dunn was a candidate for president at two other community colleges this year, but did not get either job.