Woodland district freezes pay raises
Facing revenue declines similar to other suburban school systems, Gurnee-based Woodland Elementary District 50's top administrators and managers agreed they should take the lead in a cash-conservation effort.
District 50 board President Bruce Bohren announced at a meeting Wednesday night that administration and middle management staff salaries will be frozen at current levels for the 2009-10 academic year. The freezes, and not replacing a departing administrator, are projected to save about $194,600.
"The board of education thanks the district's leadership team for bringing forth this proposal," Bohren said. It is appreciated."
Bohren said the administrators and middle managers also won't be eligible for bonuses, merit awards or other additional cash compensation for the next school year. He said the lone exception to the salary freeze is an assistant superintendent of support services who will receive a pay hike of less than 1 percent under a special retirement contract.
Superintendent Joy Swoboda said forgoing the raises was the right thing to do, considering Woodland's less-than-robust financial situation.
"We wanted to do our part to try to help and have the least impact on the children," said Swoboda, whose base salary at the 7,000-plus-student district will stay in the $174,000 range.
Bohren said he believes Woodland taxpayers will appreciate the administration's willingness to bypass raises in a time of declining revenue. He added District 50 is working on the next academic year's budget and that no personnel cuts are expected.
Suburban school officials are citing a flat inflation rate, which controls how much property tax districts may collect, as a primary reason for cost-cutting moves.
Hawthorn Elementary District 73 in Vernon Hills became the latest school system to announce layoffs Wednesday, with 23 instructional assistants departing when the academic year ends in June. Grayslake Elementary District 46 cut 29 jobs in March.
But pay increases haven't disappeared, as evidenced by the new contract approved at Naperville-based Indian Prairie Unit District 204 last week. Teachers will receive a minimum average 3.87 percent pay hike for the next school year, with administrators getting 1 percent.