Dist. 203 extends superintendent's contract until 2019

Dan Bridges will be continuing his work as superintendent of Naperville Unit District 203 until at least June 2019 under a contract extension the school board approved Monday night.

Bridges' contract was set to expire June 30, 2015, but board members said they were happy to extend it another four years to keep Bridges and his strong leadership and communication skills around.

“I'm very excited to have you here four more years,” board member Suzyn Price told the district's top administrator. “I look forward to the things you and your team are going to do.”

Bridges' salary of $230,288 remains the same under the contract extension, which specifies that salary increases will be considered each year.

Bridges first came to District 203 in 2011 as assistant superintendent for secondary education after serving in several leadership roles in West Aurora District 129. He became District 203's superintendent in August 2012 after holding the position in the interim for three months.

Bridges lives in Naperville with his wife, Jill, and their children, Sean and Sara — both students in District 203.

When his contract extension was announced, he thanked members of the district's administrative team for their collaborative efforts.

“I appreciate the work of this incredible leadership team and look forward to the incredible work we'll do moving forward,” Bridges said.

Board members said that type of humility is the norm with Bridges, who in two years as superintendent has overseen the beginning of all-day kindergarten, the transition to a more rigorous math and literacy curriculum and the completion of the Future Focus 203 community engagement process, which drew input from more than 450 stakeholders.

Bridges' contract extension is set to become official Tuesday upon the signatures of school board President Jackie Romberg and board secretary Ann Bell. Then, Bridges said, it will be posted to the district's website.