Board members clash on issue of pay hikes at Warren High

Warren Township High School board members are offering different takes on 4 percent raises approved for principals, secretaries and employees other than teachers in the next academic year.

Board President John Anderson at Gurnee-based Warren District 121 says the 4 percent pay hikes are a proper reward for a hardworking group. The raises would average 4 percent if a pool of money is spread equally among eligible workers.

Then there is board member Richard Conley, the lone "no" vote in a 5-1 decision on the raises at a meeting earlier this month, who maintains such generosity isn't found in the "real world" today.

Nearly 30 employees, including administrators, are eligible for the pay hikes. O'Plaine Road campus Principal Jeff Brierton, on the higher end of the employee salary scale, is set to go from $130,625 to $135,850 with a 4 percent raise.

Toward the lower end of the scale, business office secretary Katie Schmidt's annual salary will rise from $46,000 to $48,300 with a 4 percent hike in the 2009-10 academic year.

Anderson, when questioned about the salaries after a school board meeting Tuesday night, said the raises were easy to justify in a difficult economic climate.

"I'd say we have a very successful school where our test scores are increasing," Anderson said. "We didn't have to cut any staff. We have a balanced budget, we're on financial recognition and we have a lot of positive things going on here.

"We have multiple new programs beyond any other school in the area that I know of. And so we gave the people who have worked 60 to 70 hours a week to get that done 4 percent raises. And they're worth it."

Conley contends the 4 percent increases were the wrong message to send taxpayers during a recession. He also said District 121 should not judge secretary pay based on what's earned at other school districts, and instead should use private business as a bench mark.

For example, said Conley, a Warren survey included a $61,414 secretary position at Mundelein High School and one paying $95,700 at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire. He said he'd expect a study of the private sector to show annual secretary salaries beyond $50,000 are uncommon.

"At this point, I think (school officials) have lost touch with the taxpayer, the community in the real world," Conley said.

District 121 board member Jeanette Thommes said Thursday in retrospect she should not have voted for the 4 percent raises at a meeting June 9. Thommes she should have had more information about district finances and asked more questions at the meeting.

Thommes said smaller raises would have been appropriate. She said she'll vote "no" on future issues if it seems like more information is needed.

Raises have not been automatic for workers at all school districts. For example, Gurnee-based Woodland Elementary District 50's administration and middle management in April agreed to salary freezes for the 2009-10 academic year.