An unauthorized contract for a swim coach and terms of that deal raised concerns this week for the North Whidbey Park and Recreation District’s board of commissioners.

A contract was already signed by Executive Director Gino Wolfe and the coach candidate, but the commissioners last year adopted rules stating the executive director may only make recommendations for hiring or firing a district employee.

Hiring recommendations must approved or rejected by the board before they are official.

One swim team parent, who works in human resources, offered the commissioners her observations.

“This is engaging in a contract,” said Carolyn Pape. “This is beyond hire, engaging in a contract.

“You have the legal problem, potentially engaging in something and whether you made a commitment to something that is beyond what you want to make a commitment to, and the second piece is if you want to retain this candidate as a viable coach.

“A lot of finger pointing isn’t going to make this pool look any better than it does,” said Pape.

The board concluded the signed contract is not legally binding.

After head coach Bill Patterson was terminated by the parks district, a selection committee was formed that included Wolfe. After narrowing the field of candidates to two, the committee recommended hiring Dick Taylor, current head coach of the South Ridge Aquatic Raider Gators in Indiana.

Commissioners Wendy Shingleton and Donna Sue Holly voiced concerns over a part of the contract stipulating that, after the contracted four years, the head coach receive a 3 percent salary increase for each additional year as head coach.

“It just says, ‘Hey, you know what? This guy gets a raise,’” Shingleton said. “I’m not sure I blanketly agree with that.”

Other concerns included the definition of “good cause” to terminate a contract — whether there should be clear expectations and probationary periods — and lack of a definition as to what moving expenses were covered.

Commissioner Steve Hoffmire noted that the proposed salary, moving expenses and other benefits exceeded the amount of money swim club brought in during 2014.

“You will not get this coach, or a coach of this quality, unless you pay that type of money,” responded board President Allan McDougall.

After rejecting the recommendation, the board asked the director to review the contract and make changes based on their suggestions. After that, the board will review the contract again.

“I think we need to do our best effort to, one, fix the situation to the best of our ability to make all parties happy and then ensure that we put whatever in place to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” said Shingleton.

Board members said they hope that Wolfe will provide them with an amended contract within a couple days. A special meeting is tentatively set for Wednesday, Nov. 26, to revisit the matter.

“The only item on the agenda will be whatever happens, and if there’s no adjustments on the contract, then there won’t be any meeting,” McDougall said.