Glenbard District 87 superintendent signs 5-year extension
The Glenbard High School District 87 school board has approved a five-year contract extension for Superintendent David Larson that will keep him at the helm through June 2022.
Board members have given Larson high marks since he was hired five years ago to lead the four-school district. He had two years remaining on his current pact. The extended agreement takes effect July 1.
Larson currently receives a $240,465 salary. He will make $252,500 for the 2017-18 school year.
In a statement, Larson called it a "privilege to work in a premier school district."
"It's great to work with a cohesive board of education that is focused on strategic work that makes a difference in the lives of students, their parents and the community," his statement read. "It is gratifying to work with a professional, talented staff who work tirelessly for our students' success."
The district paid $13,221.24 to the state's Teachers' Retirement System toward his pension in 2015-16, the last year for which the district has a TRS report, a district spokeswoman said. Officials expect the 2016-17 report in June.
Larson is in line for annual salary raises based on the average percentage increases approved by the board for administrative staff, excluding "such average extraordinary increases or decreases of individual administrators," according to the contract.
The district also will provide a $600 monthly stipend to reimburse him for car travel within the district and Chicago area. The district can compensate him for other transportation costs on the same basis as it reimburses other administrators.
Starting with the third year of the pact, Larson can request that the board waive a requirement to live within the district as long as his residency is "contiguous" to the Glenbard school communities.
Every June, the board will review with Larson his progress toward meeting goals. An informal review will be held about halfway through each year.
The contract includes 10 goals that, among other things, call on Larson to build a staff that reflects the diversity of the study body and to close achievement gaps.
Larson previously was the superintendent of a school district in suburban Detroit.
"Leveling up" is his common refrain in District 87, where educators have partnered with Equal Opportunity Schools to recruit more students for Advanced Placement classes.
The district also is the midst of a decadelong, roughly $100 million plan to improve the four high schools. Funding comes from several sources, including $35 million raised by extending debt due to retire, a move approved by voters in a 2014 ballot question.
"Dr. Larson has provided vision, leadership and support for the board of education's strategic priorities," board president Rich Heim said in a statement. "He has continued to advocate for the outstanding education provided to our students, while also maintaining responsible fiscal stewardship to our communities."