At a special meeting Saturday morning, the Riverside-Brookfield High School District 208 Board of Education approved a three-year contract extension for Superintendent Kevin Skinkis.
Skinkis, 37, who had one year remaining on his previous deal, had the contract extended until 2018.
Skinkis came to District 208 in 2011 and was hired with a three-year contract. In 2012 the school board extended his contract by one year. Now the board is again extending his contract, a sign that the board wanted to make sure that Skinkis would stay at District 208.
They wanted to let Skinkis know that he was wanted and valued and they did not want him to be looking at other jobs.
“Dr. Skinkis has done a good job here and as he continues to gain experience, he is only going to get better,” board member Garry Gryczan said in a press release announcing the contract extension. “It was in the best interest of the district to extend his contract.”
School board president Matt Sinde lavished praised on Skinkis.
“I was part of the board that hired Kevin back in 2011,” Sinde said in the press release. “I can tell you that he far exceeded the expectations we had for him, considering he was a first-time superintendent.
Sinde said Skinkis was able to steady the school district during an uncertain time both operationally and financially. The board president also said Skinkis was able to work well with school staff and local elected officials.
Two of the next big items on Skinkis’ to-do list, Sinde said, were improving the school’s technology plan and implementing life safety improvements that have already been identified.
“I’m very excited,” Skinkis said in an email to the Landmark. “I have enjoyed my time in the district, and I am looking forward to working with the board, staff and community to make RB the best high school in the state.”
Under his new contract, Skinkis will be paid a base salary of $193,000, about a 7-percent raise over his current base salary of $180,250. The contract also includes performance-based bonuses tied to specific indicators such as raising ACT scores, increasing the graduation rate and student engagement.
“The board is excited that he will lead the district over the next four years,” Sinde said. “We want him to focus on improving the overall academic performance of RBHS, implementing the district’s technology plan, and addressing the items in the life safety/facility assessment report.”
On April 8 the school board promoted veteran English teacher Kimberly Hayes to become the new interim assistant principal for curriculum, instruction and assessment to replace Kristin Smetana, who will become the high school’s interim principal on July 1.
Smetana recommended Hayes for the position, Skinkis said.
Hayes said that she was happy to have another way to contribute to RB.
“I’m thankful that I have the opportunity to serve in this position,” Hayes said. “My career started at RB and with 28 years of classroom experience behind me I look forward to serving our principal and staff in continued movement in reaching our goals.
“I am incredibly thankful for this opportunity to contribute to my community’s children. I’ve called Brookfield home for many years. I have a son who is a senior here and a son who is a graduate of Riverside-Brookfield.”
This article has been changed to correct the percentage increase in Skinks’ annual salary.
