District 97 Supt. Constance Collins said the recent pay raises approved by the Board of Education for administrators were deserved given the hard work her team does for the district.
The board approved raises ranging from 3 to 4 percent July 19 by a 5-0 vote. Board members Marcia Frank and Peter Barber were absent.
Administrators will see 3 percent raises, and Collins will see a raise of 4 percent. Collins’ current salary is $175,000. Collins added that other central office staff will not see their pay increase.
“We were not as generous with our non-union employees as we were with other employees,” she said.
Collins added that in the wake of recent budget cuts, some administrators have taken on multiple roles and extra duties as the central office has had to cut staff. The district added a Grants/Alternative Education administrator for the 2006-2007 year. Former Human Resource Director Felicia Starks-Turner has assumed that position.
“We have a lot of things that we’re doing,” said Collins. “People are working hard and are definitely deserving.”
The current raises include a 4 percent increase to principals as part of their 3-year contracts. The raises are in line with what teachers will receive this year, Collins said.
-Terry Dean
