District 158 board wants to keep Superintendent Burkey around

Residents of Huntley Unit District 158 will just have to get used to the framed picture of David Letterman and the Kennedy/Johnson memorabilia that decorates its superintendent's office.

Superintendent John Burkey looks to be staying a while.

Most District 158 school board members said this week they want to keep Burkey in his post past June 2010, when his current four-year contract expires.

"His contract should be extended because I'm very impressed with the things he's done for the district," board Secretary Kim Skaja said. "He truly understands about needing the right people in the right jobs."

Skaja's sentiments were echoed by most of her board colleagues, who credited Burkey's leadership for the academic gains made by the district during the past three years.

Burkey says he's not going anywhere.

"I'm very happy here," said Burkey, who became superintendent in 2006. "I don't move around a lot."

Board members could begin talking to Burkey about extending his contract as soon as this summer. One of the key decisions will be the contract term. Mike Skala, chairman of the board's Human Resources Committee, supports a four- to five-year contract to reward Burkey for his achievements.

But new board member Don Drzal suggested a shorter contract might offer more flexibility for both parties in this economy, and Burkey agreed.

"I don't know if it would be wise for either myself or the board to go in that (long-term) direction," Burkey said.

The economy likely will factor in Burkey's compensation. Several board members said they would seek to limit Burkey's raises in light of the tight budgets the district and the state are facing.

Burkey's salary when he started in 2006, not including benefits, was $145,000. He will earn $178,000 next year - a 22 percent increase over four years. The board started Burkey at a lower salary because he was an untested superintendent, but made up for it with generous raises.

"I would expect (the raises) to be much smaller than that," Skala said. "It will be more appropriate for the current economic times."

Burkey said he has no issues with his contract or his salary.

"I'm very competitively paid," Burkey said. "It wouldn't be a money issue."

Board members Kevin Gentry and Aileen Seedorf declined to comment for this article, and Paul Troy could not be reached for comment.