After more than two hours of discussion in closed session, the Orland School District 135 board on Monday night voted 5-2 to grant a 9 percent pay raise to the district’s technology director.
Dan Doogan, who’s overseeing plans to equip all students in third through eighth grade with a take-home computer, will earn $92,342 starting in July, up from about $84,500. The large raise comes amid negotiations with the teachers union on a new contract to start July 1.
“What kind of tone does that set for contract negotiations?” asked Tina Zekich, whose term ended Monday after four years on the school board.
Zekich, who departed before the board voted on the raise, lost a re-election bid last month in which she pledged to be an “independent voice.” Board members Sandra Kulak and Greg Okon voted against the raise without explanation.
Board president Joe La Margo said Doogan’s higher salary will retain a key team member and should not be equated with union negotiations.
“It’s comparing apples to oranges,” La Margo said. ” We really needed to get him in line with what other districts are paying their IT directors.”
The school board also voted unanimously to fill two top administrative positions.
Karen Cannon-Janettas will earn $125,000 as director of special education, the job she currently holds with Cicero School District 99. She will start July 1, replacing Ellen Belotti, who is leaving District 135 to become special education director in Crete-Monee School District 201U.
Jennifer Beshansky, a journalism graduate who this month earned a master’s degree in sport management from Northern Illinois University, will be paid $59,500 as the district’s communications director. She starts next week.
Julie Oberwise, whom the board had decided to replace as human resources director, will move to Orland Junior High next school year as a math teacher. John Bryk, of Mokena, was hired last month at $135,000 to be assistant superintendent for human resources and operations as of July 1.
The board also said goodbye to member Michael Carroll, who was elected last month to the Orland Park Village Board.
La Margo and Okon were sworn in to new four-year terms along with newcomer Angie Sexton, who will serve as board secretary. La Margo remains president for two more years while Laura Berry was chosen to replace Carroll as vice president.
La Margo invited residents to a forum at 6 p.m. Monday at Sandburg High School to discuss how potential changes to state aid to public schools would impact local districts. The legislation, Senate Bill 1, would redistribute state dollars to the detriment of District 135 and other districts with strong property tax bases.
Patrick Guinane is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.