Birkett moves to head of the class in District 204

It's official. Kathy Birkett is moving from Indian Prairie's cheap seats to the hot seat.

Board members unanimously approved Birkett's three-year, $231,000 contract, meaning after July 1, she'll be at the dais with them and no longer in the back corner of the room where administrators typically huddle during board meetings.

"I'm very excited about working with the 204 community and working with all of you as a board. I appreciate your confidence in me," Birkett said. "I don't know what I'm going to do not sitting back there in the cheap seats. That has been my home, I will miss sitting with all of them. But I know the gang's all back there so I'll have eyes."

Assistant Superintendent Nancy Valenta assured her the "cheap seats" were in good hands. "We're fine with holding down the fort back here," Valenta said from the second to last row.

Teachers union President Val Dranias, a fixture in the front row at most meetings, also welcomed Birkett's new seating arrangement.

"We've had a great relationship with (Birkett) so we're very happy for her today and excited to work with her in her new role."

Support Staff Union President Carol Schaible agreed, saying "we need to keep moving in a positive direction."

As for Birkett's contract, which has already been posted on the district's Web site, Board President Curt Bradshaw called it "pretty cut and dry."

The performance-based document calls for a base salary of $210,000 for three years with annual increments given at the same percentage given to administrative staff and benefits totaling about $231,000 for the first year. It also states the board must provide her with "mutually developed" goals by Oct. 1. Birkett also will receive 20 vacation days and a $500 monthly stipend for costs associated with the use of her private vehicle for district business.

A residency requirement, however, was omitted, allowing her to remain in her Geneva home. Bradshaw cited several reasons, including the current housing market and the potential for being on the hook for moving expenses, for the clause being excluded,

"Most larger districts have done away with that (requirement) and (consultant) Bill Attea told us that might be a requirement we would want to remove from the contract," Bradshaw said. "It's usually done to establish roots and loyalty to a district but Dr. Birkett has been here for 30 years so her loyalty is not a concern. We had that clause in the contract for our previous superintendent and well, we didn't see that to be the case."

After the contract was approved, Birkett thanked outgoing Superintendent Stephen Daeschner, who is leaving next week to become superintendent in Indiana's Greater Clark County School system.

"Dr. Daeschner, you've been extremely fair to me and really been a wonderful support and I certainly wish you well in Clark County," she said. "I hope to be half the superintendent you are and I hope to fill that chair with the best of my ability so thank you very much."