District 25 superintendent gets new 3-year contract

Three years into her tenure as superintendent of Arlington Heights Elementary District 25, Lori Bein has received a contract extension for another three years.

The school board voted 5-0 Thursday night to ink a new deal with Bein, who will get 2 percent raises each year. That will put her base salary at $208,965 starting July 1.

Coupled with a cafeteria plan, vehicle allowance, employer-paid insurance benefits and contribution to the Teachers' Retirement System, Bein's total compensation will be $243,994.

Board President David Page said Bein has met and exceeded goals the school board set for her when she was hired, notably her response to the district's burgeoning enrollment that resulted in school building additions.

Her performance-based contract sets out new goals, such as improving student math and reading performance, providing teacher professional development and implementing the board's five-year strategic plan.

"We are lucky to have her and have been happy with the direction the district has gone under her leadership the last several years, and are looking forward to continuing that," Page said. "I think the District 25 community and students are better off for having this kind of leader."

Page noted Bein has surpassed her own goal of visiting 173 classrooms during the 173-day school year. She's at 175 classrooms with two weeks to go until the last day of school.

"That speaks to her character and dedication to this job," Page said.

Bein started as District 25 superintendent in July 2014 after seven years at the helm of Roselle Elementary District 12. She previously was an assistant superintendent and principal in Skokie Elementary District 69 and started her career as a teacher in Palatine Elementary District 15.

Bein's new contract runs through June 2020.

Also Thursday, the school board approved salary increases for four assistant superintendents, other administrators including principals, and noncertified employees such as secretaries and nurses. Most received 2.1 percent raises.