Oakton president receives 3-year contract extension, salary increase

Oakton Community College President Joianne Smith has a new three-year contract that will pay her $283,000 annually plus benefits.

The board of trustees last week unanimously approved the contract, which is in effect until June 2021. Smith became the Des Plaines-based college's fourth president in 2015. She was the dean of students from 2002 to 2004 and the vice president for students affairs from 2005 to 2015.

"The Board of Trustees has been very pleased with Dr. Smith since she assumed the presidency," board Chairwoman Joan DiLeonardi said. "She has done an outstanding job guiding the college through the troubling fiscal challenges of the past few years while maintaining the excellent education Oakton offers the community. Under her leadership students have won national honors, both academic and

athletic."

Smith will receive salary increases annually based on a review of her performance by the board of trustees. Included in the $283,000 salary is an 8 percent, or $22,856, annual contribution by the college to the State Universities Retirement System for Smith's pension. Her salary last year was $275,653.

"I am appreciative of the board's support and feel privileged to lead a college that is deeply committed to its mission, vision and values," Smith said in a statement.

Other benefits include 20 days of vacation, 20 paid sick days, and $17,546 to purchase permanent life insurance, long-term care insurance, long-term disability insurance, tax-sheltered annuities or a contribution to the college's deferred compensation plan. The college also will pay 87.5 percent of the premium costs for the school's medical and dental insurance program.

College of Lake County's president receives a $260,000 annual salary plus benefits under a contract approved in December. Last year, Harper College's president earned $293,711 and Elgin Community College's president made $279,191, according to an Illinois Community College Board report.