D161 Board Renews Superintendent's Contract, Cuts It by $15K

Summit Hill School District 161 board members renewed Supt. Barb Rains' contract for the 2013-14 school year, but cut her annual salary by $15,000, from $145,000 to $130,000.

With four "yes" votes and three abstentions, Rains' contract was approved from June 30, 2013, to June 30, 2014. Voting "yes" were board members: Denise Lenz, Stacey Borgens, Sean Doyle and George Perros. Abstaining were Denise Wildeveld, Board President Mary Kenny and Vice President Joy Murphy.

Wildeveld said she abstained because of reasons expressed in closed session. Murphy offered no reason for abstaining. However, Kenny said "I realize that the law governs contracts. I abstain due to lack of confidence."

Kenny would not elaborate further on her reason for abstaining.

After the contract was renewed with the lower salary, Doyle asked to amend the contract, giving Rains the full $145,000. Perros went along with Doyle's request and the motion was put to the board. The board voted 5-2 against the increase.

However, during public comments, Rich Marron, a resident and parent in D161, pointed out that Rains' existing contract, which covered an 18-month duration from Dec. 14, 2011, to June 30, 2013 stipulates: "Notice of intent not to renew the agreement must be given by the Board or by the superintendent by March 1, 2013."  

He and several other parents in the district stood before the board to commend the work she has done in her role as superintendent for D161.

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