District 113A Releases Details of New Superintendent Contract

 has released further details of the with new superintendent Susan Birkenmaier.

District 113A board members unanimously approved a three-contract with Birkenmaier on March 21 at an annual salary of $164,000 for the 2012-13 school year. The contract will begin July 1 and expire June 30, 2015.

According to the agreement, Birkenmaier's contract is "performance-based," meaning it is linked to "student performance and academic improvement of schools in the district." She is expected to annually evaluate student performance, review curriculum, and report her findings and recommendations to the board.

Birkenmaier is also expected to complete a five-year strategic plan for District 113A by March 1, 2013. Other performance goals include maintaining good employee relations and regular communication with the board, recommending efficiencies to be achieved in student transportation and developing a rebuilding plan for the district.

Her performance will be evaluated by the board each February.

District 113A will pay Birkenmaier’s required contributions to the Teachers’ Retirement System and Teachers’ Health Insurance Security Fund Contribution pension systems, according to the contract.

The contract states that Birkenmaier will be reimbursed for business expenses incurred on behalf of the board, including personal mileage for business trips in excess of 25 miles from the district office. She will also be issued a cell phone for business purposes only.

Birkenmaier is currently serving as the director of operations for LaGrange Highlands School District 106, where she is responsible for district finances and human services.

"It is a special privilege to be appointed superintendent," Birkenmeier said last week. "Through the whole interview process, every person I met truly exemplified an enthusiam for doing the very best for the kids in their education. You have beautiful schools, enthusiastic teachers and happy kids."