D200 Board Extends Superintendent Contract

The D200 School Board unanimously approved a measure to extend Superintendent Brian Harris’ contract by one year.

Harris is one year into his contract with the Wheaton Warrenville school district, but because he met the goals set forth in his contract, the school board felt it prudent to reward him with a one year extension, keeping Harris in the district through 2014.

Harris is completing his first year with D200.The new contract does not come with a salary bump. Harris will continue to earn $195,000 through 2013. In 2014, however, his salary could change after a performance evaluation. District 200 announced Thursday that it will eliminate two administrator positions as it reorganizes staff and will increase administrators' salaries one percent for the 2011-12 school year.

Board President Rosemary Swanson touted Harris’ accomplishments in his first year as superintendent. Other board members chimed in with accolades of Harris as well. Board member Ken Knicker said Harris did an outstanding job meeting his goals, including maintaining a balanced budget and reorganizing administration to meet financial constraints as well as identifying key performance indicators for students. Harris’ new contract contains similar goals to his initial agreement including implementing a K-12 college readiness plan. Harris said the district had a plan for the high school levels, but not one that included all grade levels.

While Harris’ salary will not change, there were some minor tweaks to his contract, including more flexibility regarding when he can take vacation days and will pick up long-term disability insurance. Swanson said that was left out of Harris’ original contract and during his first year he paid for it himself. She said the district will reimburse him for those payments.

Prior to his tenure as superintendent Harris spent more than 10 years in School District 303 in St. Charles as a teacher and administrator.

Harris said he has enjoyed his first year in Wheaton and looks forward to continuing laying the groundwork for the district’s future.