After settling contracts with its teachers, aides and custodians in the past 12 months, the Brookfield-LaGrange Park District 95 school board has one more to go – with its superintendent.
The board hired Mark Kuzniewski in 2009 and gave him a three-year deal at that time. While he received a raise in his second year, district officials are hoping to finalize a new long-term deal – three or four years – with the superintendent by Aug. 11.
“What we hope to achieve is a long-term commitment,” said school board President James Landahl last week. “We’re pleased with Mark Kuzniewski’s work to this point. He’s finished two years and we need to take the guesswork out of what is the board going to do?”
Hired at $135,000 in 2009, Kuzniewski’s salary for the 2010-11 school year was $142,300, according to the state-mandated compensation report posted on the D95 website.
Including district health insurance and life insurance benefits, pension contribution, sick-day payout and a $7,000 “insurance differential,” Kuzniewski’s total compensation in 2010-11 was $190,193.
Kuzniewski said he wants a long-term deal in order to finish the work he started two years ago.
“This community, this district is a phenomenal place to be with a very strong board that’s experienced and knowledgeable,” Kuzniewski said. “I’d love to have a long-term relationship, but it has to be the right fit for both of us.”
Kuzniewski said he expects any salary increases in the new contract to be similar to those staff has already agreed to.
“I fully expect a superintendent’s contract tied to the [consumer price index],” he said.
That’s in line with what Landahl believes will also be needed.
“It will also enable us to tie future increases to cost of living/CPI, so everything is in line,” Landahl said.
– Bob Uphues
