District 203 Board Approves Salary Increases

The Board of Education approved salary increases for administrative staff and for District Supt. Mark Mitrovich at its meeting Monday night.

The increase for the administrative staff addresses some salary inequities, which were ongoing within the district, while Mitrovich will receive a pay increase and a bonus for his work over the last year.

Among the administrative staff, the disparities in salary meant that a teacher in one building might be earning more than a principal in a different building. Such inequities made it hard to recruit from within and also made staff attractive to other districts or companies, according to officials.

The administrative salary increase is $96,668 or 1.1 percent over the 2010-11 budget, according to officials. The increase is divided between 83 certified administrative employees.

“We need to recognize the fact that Naperville 203 is a talent target," Mitrovich said. "Other districts and industries will seek out our staff because of the skills, experience and knowledge they possess. Retaining and attracting the best talent must be a top priority.

“Performance-based demands on our educators and our students are increasing, and we need to have the best resources available to support these practices. This means having strong leadership at every level.”

The only no vote on the administrative salary increases came from Susan Crotty, who thanked the administrators for all their hard work but said she could not vote in favor of the increase because of the economy.

“I applaud doing this now,” said board member Jim Dennison. “This goes out for the very long term and I think it is a very wise move.”

Board President Mike Jaensch said that because of inequities in administrative salaries, some increases might appear to be larger than others but, in actuality, they were simply bringing those salaries to the level where they should be.

“I'm glad to see we are paying people for the job they do, and not the amount of time they have been doing it,” said board member Dave Weeks. “This is perfect time given the focus on performance-based evaluation."

The board also approved a pay increase for Mitrovich as he enters his third year of a three-year contract. His salary will increase from $203,000 to $228,000. Mitrovich also will receive a 5 percent bonus based on his current salary. The board reserves the right to pay him the 5 percent bonus at the end of the next school year.

Weeks noted that last year the board offered Mitrovich a 5 percent bonus, but he declined to accept the payment.

“He didn’t let us write [the check] to him,” Weeks said.

At the start of the meeting, the board also recognized three new staff members who were in attendance.

The new employees are Dan Bridges, assistant superintendent for secondary education, Kate Foley, assistant superintendent for student services and special education, and Jennifer Hester, assistant superintendent for teaching and learning/humanities.

Foley replaces who retired in June. Foley’s first day on the job was Monday.