'Amicable' end coming to superintendent's 2 years in Dist. 44
Lombard Elementary District 44 is preparing to part ways with Superintendent Michael Robey just two years into his four-year contract.
School board President Courtney Long said the board and Robey are working toward a "mutual agreement" to end their contract effective June 30. The board could approve the severance package during a meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the administration center, 150 W. Madison St.
The board also is set to consider a severance deal with Aldo Calderin, assistant superintendent for human resources and public relations, who joined the district two years ago along with Robey.
Long said the agreements are still being negotiated, so she could not provide any details Monday afternoon.
Robey and Calderin did not return calls seeking comment.
The "amicable separation" is set to come two years after Robey was hired to succeed former Superintendent James Blanche, who spent 10 years with District 44.
"We just feel at this point we're really moving toward an amicable separation," Long said, adding Robey's departure is not because of any "fault or misconduct."
"We continue to remain really optimistic about the direction that the district will go, in particular during this transitional time," she said.
During Robey's time with the district of seven schools and 3,100 students, officials developed plans to turn Highland Hills school into an early childhood center expected to open in January 2018 and to launch a dual-language program starting this fall.
With about seven weeks before Robey's and Calderin's anticipated departure, Long said the school board has enough time to plan for a transition of leadership.
Robey, of Plainfield, made $197,500 in base pay last year and is making $206,150 this year. With insurance, travel and other benefits, his total compensation is $261,562.
Calderin, of Lombard, made roughly $130,000 in base pay last year and is making $134,934 this year. With insurance, travel and other benefits, his total compensation is $180,903 in a one-year contract.
"I can't say enough that both of the gentlemen are great individuals," Long said. "We really do wish them well in their future positions and successes."
She said the board plans to talk in closed session Tuesday about how to search for its next superintendent and what to do about the role of assistant superintendent for human resources and public relations, created two years ago.
The district might fill the human resources and public relations roles with other employees already working in administration, Long said.