Contract Language Forces D161 Renewal for Superintendent

Three abstentions and a $15K cut in salary is evidence that the Summit Hill School Dist. 161 Board of Education was divided over a decision to renew for one year the contract for Supt. Barb Rains. Her current contract covered the period between Dec. 14, 2011 and June 3 0, 2013.  

The final vote for the renewal of Supt. Barb Rains' contract by the Dist. 161 Board of Education—f—was hardly a vote of confidence for the superintendent. Abstaining were Denise Wildeveld, Board President Mary Kenny and Vice President Joy Murphy.

It was a contentious meeting March 27 at Mokena's Arbury Hills School, where several parents, some of whom were members of Rains' advisory committee, stood to support the superintendent. But not a single teacher stood among the group supporting the renewal of Rains' contract.

A day after the meeting, board member Sean Doyle and Mary Kenny, the out-going president who has been on the board for just shy of 30 years, shared their perspectives about the renewal of Rains' contract. Doyle was a chief supporter, while Kenny, who abstained from the vote, opposed it.

In interviews with Patch, Doyle focused on a positive evaluation, while Kenny suggested that Rains' over the past 18 months of her contract had failed to acquire support from the teachers and fellow administrators. Kenny said she did not communicate effectively with the board either.  

While Doyle and Kenny opposed each other's decision when it came to the vote, they did agree that a crucial part of the outcome was based on a notice of non-renewal in the current contract that comes to an end on June 30.

"Notice of intent not to renew the Agreement must be given by the Board or by the Superintendent by March 1, 2013. When given by the Board, the notice of intent not to renew this Agreement must be in writing, stating the specific reason therefor."

At least three parents who stood before the board on Wednesday referenced the same two sentences in the contract, highlighting the fact that if the board failed to renew the contract, they would be opening the door for a potential lawsuit by Rains against the district.

Kenny said, "The contract was screwed up." The district's attorney Scott Neminick reviewed the contract and advised the board that there was a "50-50" chance that Rains, if she so chose to file a lawsuit, would win in court. A decision in Rains' favor would have cost the district at least $145,000, a year's salary along with legal fees. Already Neminick had been in communication with Rains' attorney, according to Kenny.

Left without a viable option, Kenny said she thought, "If we're going to pay her salary, we might as well get some work out of her."

Rains' opponents on the board came up with a plan to reduce her salary by $15,000, which is slightly over 10 percent. Doyle said he had not gotten wind of it till Wednesday night in closed session.  

Board member Sean Doyle's reasons

While Doyle, who admittedly said he was initially opposed to hiring Rains without ever posting the position or conducting a search for a new superintendent, found he appreciated the way she ran the district. "She is firm and decisive. She really led the district through a difficult time." He characterized her as warm and easy to talk to.

After the board completed Rains' evaluations, said Doyle, there was no reason not to renew the contract. Rains wanted her contract renewed along with the other administrators at the March 13 Board of Education meeting, according to Doyle.

Speaking of the board members, he said, "They knew what her job performance was." Her contract should have been renewed along with the other administrators."

"I am thrilled with the renewal," he said, but disappointed that the board sliced her salary and opposed his motion to bring it back up to the existing level.  

Doyle highlighted the outpouring of support from parents for shaping his opinion on the superintendent. Among those who spoke on Rains' behalf at the meeting, Val Goetsch mentioned that Rains not only listened to the advisory committee but also found a way to implement many of those suggestions.

Kenny said Rains' decision to form advisory committees was prompted by the board. "We told her to form advisory committees, to communicate."

Board Pres. Mary Kenny's reasons

The district's former human resource director, Rains, did not communicate with teachers or the administration, according to Kenny, pointing out that she hadn't gleaned the favor of the teaching staff.           

Having sat through the board meeting with her eyes cast down while her contract was the topic of discussion, she read statement after her contract was renewed. On Wednesday, she released the same statement to Patch.

"I am honored to continue to be part of Summit Hill Dist. 161. Since the day I was hired five years ago, I knew this district was very special. People here work so hard and are so passionate to ensure students' receive what they need to become successful learners. There's a deep sense of community caring and commitment at Summit Hill. The students we serve truly are our children.

I'm sure you will agree that our administrative tem is second to none. Our teachers and staff take great pride in the success of our students, and our families work in harmony as our partners in education. I don't know how much better this could get. Thank you for the opportunity to continue as superintendent of Dist. 161. By working together, I know we can continue to make a difference in the lives of Summit Hill students."  

The district's former human resource director, Rains, did not communicate with teachers or the administration, according to Kenny, pointing out that she hadn't gleaned the favor of the teaching staff.           

Having sat through the board meeting with her eyes cast down while her contract was the topic of discussion, she read statement after her contract was renewed. On Wednesday, she released the same statement to Patch.

Supt. Barb Rains' statement

"I am honored to continue to be part of Summit Hill Dist. 161. Since the day I was hired five years ago, I knew this district was very special. People here work so hard and are so passionate to ensure students' receive what they need to become successful learners. There's a deep sense of community caring and commitment at Summit Hill. The students we serve truly are our children.

I'm sure you will agree that our administrative tem is second to none. Our teachers and staff take great pride in the success of our students, and our families work in harmony as our partners in education. I don't know how much better this could get. Thank you for the opportunity to continue as superintendent of Dist. 161. By working together, I know we can continue to make a difference in the lives of Summit Hill students."  

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