Round Lake Dist. 116 gets its first superintendent in 8 years
Constance Collins has cleared her final hoop and will be the first superintendent in eight years at Round Lake Area Unit District 116.
District 116's elected school board approved Collins' hiring Monday. On Thursday, a five-member special state finance authority that's been in charge of the district since 2002 gave its blessing to make Collins' selection official.
Collins, 58, has been superintendent of Oak Park Elementary District 97 since 2005. She'll begin her District 116 career July 1.
"Connie has had a stellar track record," said District 116 Chief Executive Officer Ben Martindale, who was hired by the state and will maintain limited involvement at the school system after he steps aside from full-time duties in late June.
District 116's financial affairs have been handled by the state finance authority, and not a local superintendent, since 2002. In January, the state panel judged the district's finances to be healthy enough for the local board to resume control.
As part of regaining local control, the school board agreed earlier this week to hire Collins. District 116 was near financial collapse when the state took over eight years ago.
Collins' initial base salary will be $207,000 under a five-year contract, which will require annual school board renewal. Her base salary at Oak Park Elementary is $201,773 for the current academic year.
Martindale said District 116 officials recognize finances remain a sensitive issue, so Collins won't be eligible for bonuses or other sweeteners often found in contracts for superintendents at public schools.
Collins can earn a potential $4,035 bonus at her Oak Park job this year. She's also has a $6,000 vehicle allowance.
Some criticism about Collins and her administration has surfaced at District 97 school board meetings over the past five years. Meeting minutes show some residents last year criticized the district for not practicing open government.
Collins responded in an interview that while she believes schools and administrators can always perform better, she's encouraged feedback from the Oak Park community and teachers.
"I believe we have definitely made every attempt to be open at the district," she said.
Collins said some of her accomplishments in Oak Park include working on creation of a minority hiring program for teachers and implementation of new teacher evaluation methods. She led Zion Elementary District 6 before she departed for Oak Park.
Although Collins will be in charge as superintendent and answering to the local school board, the state finance authority will continue monitoring District 116, Martindale said.